June is Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month

This month, we recognize Cytomegalovirus or CMV. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus for people of all ages; however, a healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the virus from causing illness.

This article from the CDC tells us what CMV is and how it affects our everyday lives.

In the United States, nearly one in three children is already infected with CMV by age five. Over half of adults have been infected with CMV by age 40.

Once CMV enters a person’s body, it stays there for life and can reactivate. A person can also be re-infected with a different strain (variety) of the virus. Most people with CMV infection have no symptoms and aren’t aware that they have been infected.

Signs and Symptoms

In some cases, infection in healthy people can cause mild illness that may include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands

Occasionally, CMV can cause mononucleosis or hepatitis (liver problem).

People with weakened immune systems who get CMV can have more serious symptoms affecting the eyes, lungs, liver, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Babies born with CMV can have brain, liver, spleen, lung, and growth problems. The most common long-term health problem in babies born with congenital CMV infection is hearing loss, which may be detected soon after birth or may develop later in childhood.

Transmission

People with CMV may pass the virus in body fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, tears, semen, and breast milk. CMV is spread from an infected person in the following ways:

• From direct contact with saliva or urine, especially from babies and young children
• Through sexual contact
• From breast milk to nursing infants
• Through transplanted organs and blood transfusions

Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood tests can be used to diagnose CMV infection in adults who have symptoms. However, blood is not the best fluid to test newborns with suspected CMV infection. Tests of saliva or urine are preferred for newborns.

Healthy people who are infected with CMV usually do not require medical treatment. Medications are available to treat CMV infection in people who have weakened immune systems and babies with signs of congenital CMV.

If you are experiencing alarming or sever symptoms, make an appointment with your primary healthcare provider to talk about what could be causing your symptoms. Trust your doctor but be persistent if you feel your issues aren’t being addressed.

For more information, or to schedule with a provider, visit our website or call 307.688.6000. Campbell County Medical Group Family Medicine is dedicated to Excellence Every Day providing a lifetime of care with dedication, skill and compassion,

Visit one of our Family Medicine locations or Walk-in Clinic today!

CCMG Family Medicine

501 S. Burma Ave.

Gillette, WY 82718

307.688.6000

CCMG Wright Clinic

500 Latigo Dr.

Wright, WY 82732

307.464.0413
 

CCMG Family Clinic Hulett

Red Bluff Medical Center

131 Red Devil Dr.

Hulett, WY 82720

307.688.2235

CCH Walk-in Clinic

501 S. Burma Ave.

Gillette, WY 82716

307.688.9255

Source: Center for Disease Control