Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Symptoms, Risks, and Testing

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The virus is not airborne and cannot be caught by casual contact or breathing the same air as an infected person. Transmission usually requires prolonged or repeated exposure, for example through close contact, sexual activity, or from mother to baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

CMV is not highly contagious and generally requires close contact for transmission. Most healthy individuals who contract the virus experience no symptoms or only mild illness. However, people with weakened immune systems, organ transplant recipients, pregnant women, and newborns are at higher risk of developing serious complications. Good hygiene and avoiding direct contact with saliva or urine can help reduce transmission risk.

In most healthy individuals, CMV infection is mild or asymptomatic and resolves without treatment. However, it can cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems and in babies infected before birth. Complications may include lung, liver, or eye inflammation, and in newborns, developmental or hearing problems.

When a baby is infected with CMV before birth, the virus may affect hearing, vision, growth, and brain development. Some babies show no symptoms at birth but may develop hearing loss or developmental delays later in life. Early detection and medical monitoring can help manage potential complications. It is advisable to discuss CMV testing and preventive measures with your obstetrician during pregnancy.

Early signs of CMV infection often resemble those of a mild flu-like illness. Common symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. These usually resolve within a few weeks without specific treatment. However, if symptoms persist or you belong to a higher-risk group, such as those who are pregnant or immunocompromised, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation for appropriate testing and management.

Being CMV positive means that cytomegalovirus has been detected in your body, either from a recent or past infection. Blood tests can differentiate between these by measuring CMV antibodies, where IgM suggests a recent infection and IgG indicates past exposure. In most healthy individuals, the virus remains dormant without causing illness, but it may reactivate in those with weakened immunity or during pregnancy. It is best to consult your doctor for appropriate follow-up.

There is no cure for CMV, but treatment is available to manage active infections and prevent complications in at-risk individuals. Most healthy people recover without medical intervention, while those with severe or persistent infections may be prescribed antiviral medications such as ganciclovir or valganciclovir. The goal of treatment is to control viral activity and reduce the risk of organ or developmental damage.

CMV can be prevented by practising good hygiene and avoiding contact with infected bodily fluids. Washing hands frequently, especially after contact with children’s saliva or urine, not sharing utensils or drinks, and practising safer sex can reduce risk. Pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions and avoid exposure to potentially infected materials.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be transmitted through sexual contact involving exposure to infected bodily fluids, but it is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The virus spreads more commonly through close contact with saliva, urine, or breast milk. Because CMV is widespread and can be passed in non-sexual ways, practising good hygiene and safer sex can help reduce transmission.

CMV is different from both human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis viruses. CMV is a herpesvirus that can remain dormant and reactivate, while HPV primarily affects the skin and genital tract, and hepatitis viruses target the liver. Although these infections may sometimes share transmission routes, they cause distinct diseases and require different testing and management.

Hearing loss is the most common complication of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV). Some affected infants may also experience developmental delays, vision problems, or growth issues. Hearing loss can occur at birth or develop later in childhood, even in babies who initially show no symptoms.

Cytomegalovirus can cause mild, flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals but may lead to serious complications in people with weakened immunity or in newborns. Long-term effects can include vision or hearing loss, liver inflammation, and neurological problems if the infection affects vital organs. In congenital cases, developmental delays and growth issues may occur.

Cytomegalovirus infects and enlarges body cells, altering their structure and function. It can remain dormant within these cells and reactivate when the immune system is weakened. In active infection, CMV may damage tissues in the eyes, liver, lungs, or brain, depending on where the virus replicates. This cellular disruption contributes to the organ-specific complications seen in severe or congenital CMV infections.