Symptoms & Cure for CMV Virus

When someone suffers from a CMV infection, it simply means he has been transmitted the Cytomegalovirus, a virus similar to those that cause herpes, chicken pox and shingles. And much like these other viruses, CMV will be with a person forever, going through intermittent periods of dormancy and reactivation, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is only within the latter period that a person would become contagious or, at least the bodily fluids, like saliva, blood and urine, would now contain the virus and could infect another individual. If a person becomes infected with CMV, there are a few symptoms that could manifest in the individual.

Fatigue

• For many people infected with CMV, they will experience a short period of time, usually at the onset of infection, where they feel fatigued or exhausted. This overall sense of tiredness is mild and will be brief. It may also bring about some light weakness that goes away as the fatigue or exhaustion dissipates. Typically, this particular symptom will be confused with a "bug" that may be going around.

Fever

• An infection of CMV can cause some people to suffer from the symptom of a fever. Again, this symptom is often confused with a "bug," because a fever caused by CMV will be mild in nature, normally around 100 degrees F, and can prompt episodic night sweats. However, this fever can persist a bit longer than the other symptoms.

Swelling

• For some people, an infection of the CMV virus may cause mild swelling or inflammation to the glands in and around the neck. This swelling is often accompanied by a sore throat, according to the Mayo Clinic, but the 2 are not exclusive to one another. Much like the other symptoms, swelling of the glands usually manifests at the onset of the infection.

Aches and Pains

• Much like a "bug," many people initially infected with the CMV virus may manifest a certain amount of aches and pains within the body. This may come about as your average joint pain or an overall discomfort within the muscles. If you've ever had the flu, you know exactly what this particular symptom feels like and are well aware of how it can be confused with something else.

Skin Discoloration

• If an infant were to be infected with CMV, she would manifest the symptom in the form of a skin discoloration. For some infants, it will present itself as jaundice which is a yellowing to the skin and eyes. For others, it will present itself as a rash that may be a raised flushing to the skin or purple blotches along areas of the body.

Seizures and Other Symptoms

• Another symptom that a child has been infected with the CMV virus is the presence of seizures, which are periodic spasms, twitching or shaking of the head, limbs or body. These seizures are the brain's way of reacting to the presence of the virus, causing abnormal impulses or signals to be transmitted in the brain that prompts the body to respond in this fashion. This virus may also cause a child to be born with a low birth weight and can adversely affect the spleen and liver.

Treatment

• While there isn't an actual cure for CMV, there is the potential for treatment, especially when certain populations, like newborns and people with immune disorders. The standard form of treatment will be some sort of antiviral medication. These medications serve to hinder the development of the virus, thereby minimizing its effects on the body and person.