Question 1

how is cmv usually diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Blood test: Cytomegalovirus infection is diagnosed by a variety of blood tests. It is part of the standard battery of tests given to pregnant moms. Once you have been infected, you are immune for life. As a result, if a pregnant mom has never been infected, she needs to be very careful to stay away from sick people, many of whom might have cmv.

Question 2

can i have a baby if i have cmv?

Accepted Answer

Most can: Most women have CMV in childhood and develop protective antibodies that will prevent problems during later pregnancies. If you have CMV as a non-pregnant adult,  you will also develop antibodies that protect you/baby later. The scary time is if you get CMV for the first time while you are pregnant, as this can injure baby.

Question 3

could cmv be transfered through food?

Accepted Answer

No: Not unless you count breast milk as food. It is transmitted person to person in various body fluids and secretions. Not in food, not in water, not in animals.

Question 4

is cmv remains in body all the life  ?

Accepted Answer

Yes,usually no prob.: CMV is in the herpes family &amp; many viruses in that family, like herpes simplex, Epstein Barr virus, chickenpox, HHV 6 &amp; CMV infect virtually everyone &amp; live in our bodies forever. For those with a healthy immune system this is not a problem as our bodies can keep them in a inactive state where they do not cause problems. However, people who are immunocomprised may develop chronic active infection.

Question 5

my son has cmv. is that something serious?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Most people get exposed to CMV as a child or young adult, usually benign with full recovery.

Question 6

is my unborn baby protected from cmv?

Accepted Answer

Depends on situation: The most burdensome problems with CMV occur when a mom gets infected during pregnancy & the virus gets into the baby during the blood phase of mom's illness. If mom had it as a child, she likely has protective antibodies that will prevent this from occurring.If tests prior to pregnancy show you cmv+, then its unlikely your kid will get it.If cmv-, avoid exposures to little kids that could have it.

Question 7

if you had to boil it down, what is cmv?

Accepted Answer

Cytomegalovirus: CMV is a virus that most people have been exposed to. The virus may cause a mild flu-like illness initially and then becomes latent (inactive). In the immunocompromised, the virus may reactivate and cause inflammation of the colon (colitis), small intestine (enteritis), the esophagus (esophagitis) and the bladder (cystitis).

Question 8

is cmv common in usa? is it rare for it to be deadly?

Accepted Answer

CMV is very common: Yes. CMV infection is a very common childhood illness in most cases.  There is currently a lot of research going on about chronic active infection with CMV and it's potential ties to other chronic and life threatening illnesses.  It is rare for it to be deadly in and of itself.

Question 9

can you have cmv and not have hiv?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Different virus: CMV=Cytomegalovirus, a common viral infection (affects 70-90% of Americans), usually causes a mono-like illness but tests for Mono are negative.  Generally no problem except in people with advanced cancer or organ transplant.  HIV=Human Immunodeficiency Virus.  Initial illness variable but often sl fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes.  Later get severe immunodeficiency.

Totally different illnesses

Question 10

what are the complications of cmv virus?

Accepted Answer

Varies.: Most people have been in contact with CMV,  but only people with weakened immune systems tend to get seriously ill with it. One of the most serious complications is pneumonia followed by encephalitis. There can be serious problems if the virus is contracted by pregnant women.

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Doctor answers about:

Cmv agent

A member asked:

How is cmv usually diagnosed?

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Can i have a baby if i have cmv?

A member asked:

Could cmv be transfered through food?

A member asked:

Is cmv remains in body all the life ?

A member asked:

My son has cmv. is that something serious?

A member asked:

Is my unborn baby protected from cmv?

A member asked:

If you had to boil it down, what is cmv?

A member asked:

Is cmv common in usa? is it rare for it to be deadly?

A member asked:

Can you have cmv and not have hiv?

A member asked:

What are the complications of cmv virus?

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