- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Cytomegalovirus
May also be called: CMV
Cytomegalovirus (sy-tuh-meg-uh-lo-VY-rus), or CMV, is a very common virus. CMV infections in healthy people are usually harmless.
More to Know
Cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpesvirus family, is related to the viruses that cause chickenpox and mononucleosis ("mono"), and is a common cause of viral infection.
CMV infections are rarely serious in otherwise healthy kids and adults; they usually cause only mild symptoms, if any. However, CMV can be a problem for unborn babies whose mothers become infected with CMV during pregnancy (in utero), and children and adults whose immune systems have been weakened by disease or drug treatment.
Infants infected with CMV in utero may develop hearing, vision, neurological, and developmental problems over time. Older kids and teens who become infected may have mono-like symptoms, including fatigue, muscle aches, headache, fever, and enlarged liver and spleen. These symptoms are generally mild and usually last only 2 to 3 weeks.
Most cases of CMV infection don't require any specific treatment, but high-risk cases may be treated with intravenous (IV) antiviral medication, usually in a hospital.
Keep in Mind
Most of the time, healthy kids and adults infected with CMV will have no symptoms and probably won't even know they've been infected. Those who have mild symptoms usually recover completely within a few weeks, although the virus may stay inactive in a person's body for life. CMV is spread through close contact with body fluids, so frequent hand washing and good hygiene are effective at reducing the risk of infection.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.