Cytomegalovirus

A common virus of the herpesvirus family that remains with people for life once they have become infected. Most people don't know they have CMV because it rarely causes problems in healthy people. However pregnant women can pass the virus to their babies, who might then experience symptoms. And people who have weakened immune systems, especially people who have had an organ, stem cell or bone marrow transplant, may face problems with their eyes, lungs, liver, esophagus, stomach, intestines or brain that can be fatal. CMV spreads from person to person through body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen and breast milk. Symptoms in otherwise healthy adults may include fatigue, fever, sore throats and muscle aches. There is no cure, but there are medications that can help treat the symptoms.