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CMV Vaccine

Definition

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection.

Description

CMV spreads easily through body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, tears, breast milk and semen. Over half of adults in the United States have it in their body by age 40 but usually it goes unnoticed in most people. Once infected, your body retains the virus for life.

It is the most common congenital viral infection and is the leading non-genetic cause of hearing loss in the US. Most infants are asymptomatic, but 10-15% of infants experience severe and life-threatening infection. CMV spreads easily in places with a lot of young children, such as daycares, so anyone who spends a lot of time there are at a higher risk of getting it.

There are different types of cytomegalovirus infection.

  • Primary: This is the first time someone contracts CMV. Most people don't know that they have CMV as it rarely causes problems in healthy individuals but some people may have signs that look like mononucleosis.
  • Congenital: This is when a baby is infected with CMV from its mother before birth.
  • Perinatal: Infants who become infected during birth or shortly afterward.
  • Reactivation: An infection that has been dormant can become active again when your immune system is weakened.

Symptoms

Most healthy people who are infected with CMV don't know it. Some may experience minor symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Muscle aches

Some signs and symptoms of congenital and perinatal CMV include:

  • Premature birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Swollen liver or spleen
  • Bruise-like rashes
  • Hearing loss
  • Vision problems
  • Pneumonia
  • Abnormally small head (microcephaly)

And people who have a weakened immune system may experience serious problems that affect their:

  • Eyes
  • Lungs
  • Liver
  • Stomach
  • Intestines
  • Brain

Diagnosis and Treatments

You should see your doctor if you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant and develop mononucleosis-like symptoms. Your doctor will order tests such as:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Imaging tests

CMV symptoms almost always go away on their own in those with a healthy immune system. Newborn babies and those with weakened immune systems need treatment when they are experiencing symptoms of a CMV infection. The treatment depends on the signs, symptoms and severity of the infection with antiviral medications being the most common treatment option. Currently, there is no vaccine against this virus. This is why it is important that we work together to make sure investigational vaccines are safe and effective to protect the most vulnerable against infection.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/guide/aids-hiv-opportunistic-infections-cytomegalovirus#091e9c5e80093117-2-5

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/symptoms-causes/syc-20355358

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355364

If you would like more information regarding our CMV Vaccine Trial give our office a call at (701) 232-7705 or toll-free at (866) 532-7705.

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