Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

Lab tests can detect a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. These include tests of blood, saliva and urine. Sometimes, tests of tissue samples are done.

During pregnancy and after delivery

Most often, pregnant people aren't tested for CMV. But if you're pregnant, testing may be recommended for reasons such as:

• You're exposed to someone who is ill from CMV.
• You get symptoms such as a fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat and swollen glands.
• An ultrasound imaging test suggests that your unborn baby might have a CMV infection.
• You have a weakened immune system.

If you're pregnant, testing also can find out whether you've ever been infected with CMV. Blood tests can find proteins called antibodies that the immune system makes in response to a CMV infection. These proteins can linger in the blood for months to years after an infection.

If testing spots antibodies that suggest you've had a recent CMV infection, more testing is recommended. A new recent infection with CMV in pregnancy raises the risk of having your baby infected with CMV. Pregnant women who already developed CMV antibodies in the past have a very small chance of the virus becoming active again. But if this happens, it could infect the unborn child.

If your healthcare professional finds a new CMV infection while you're pregnant, a prenatal test called amniocentesis may be recommended. The test can find out whether the unborn baby has been infected. A sample of the fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb, called amniotic fluid, is removed with a needle and checked. In general, amniocentesis is recommended when an imaging test shows certain signs that might be caused by CMV.

If your healthcare professional thinks that your baby has congenital CMV, the baby is tested for it within three weeks of birth. If your baby has CMV, more tests likely will be needed. These tests check the health of the baby's organs, such as the liver and kidneys.

In people who have weakened immune systems

Testing for CMV also can be important if you have a weakened immune system. Regular testing may be recommended if you have HIV or AIDS, or if you've had a transplant.

Treatment for a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can include medicines and other therapies. But most often, healthy adults and children with CMV infections don't need treatment. Healthy adults who get CMV mononucleosis tend to get well without medicine.

Medications

Newborns and people who have weakened immune systems need treatment when they have symptoms of CMV infection. The type of treatment depends on the symptoms and how severe they are.

Medicines that treat infections caused by viruses are the most common type of treatment. They can slow the virus from making copies of itself. But they don't get rid of the virus. Researchers are studying new medicines and experimental vaccines to treat and prevent CMV.

Therapies

Various types of therapy can help children with hearing loss due to CMV infections. For example, speech therapy can improve speaking, listening, language and social skills. Occupational therapy can help children do everyday tasks affected by hearing loss.

Assistive devices such as hearing aids can make it easier to hear as well.

The sooner children get treatment for hearing loss, the better they might adjust to living with the condition.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, take these steps:

• Write down any symptoms you or your child has. Include symptoms even if they seem minor, such as low-grade fever or fatigue.
• Write down questions to ask your healthcare team. Your time with your healthcare professional is limited, so it can help to make a list of questions.

For CMV, questions to ask your healthcare team include:

• What is likely causing my symptoms?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely short term or long term?
• What is the best course of action?
• How can I lower the chances of infecting others?
• Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional likely will ask you questions such as:

• How long have you had your symptoms?
• Do you work or live with young children?
• Have you had a blood transfusion or organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recently?
• Do you have a medical condition that might weaken your immune system, such as HIV or AIDS?
• Are you receiving chemotherapy?
• Do you practice safe sex?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you think you have been exposed to CMV during pregnancy, your healthcare professional may ask:

• When do you think you may have been exposed?
• Have you had symptoms of the condition?
• Have you been tested for CMV before?