Women & HIV/AIDS

CMV

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CMV is short for cytomegalovirus (seye-tuh-meg-uh-loh-VEYE-ruhss). In people with HIV, CMV can hurt the eyes, causing problems seeing or even blindness. CMV can hurt other parts of your body too. It also can cause painful swallowing, fever, diarrhea, fatigue, and pain, weakness, and numbness in the legs. The risk of CMV is highest when CD4 cell counts are below 50. It is rare in people whose CD4 cell counts are above 100. CMV spreads from one person to another in saliva (spit), semen, vaginal secretions, blood, urine, and breast milk. You can get CMV when you touch these fluids with your hands, and then touch your nose or mouth.

Prevent CMV:

• Take your HIV drugs the way you're told to.
• If you get sick from your medicine, call your doctor for help.
• Wash your hands a lot. Use soap and wash them well.
• Use condoms (Keep in mind: Condom use cannot guarantee total protection against CMV).
• Talk to your doctor if you're getting a blood transfusion. Most blood banks don't screen blood for CMV.

If you work in a day care center, you should take these special steps:

• Wash your hands really well after touching urine (pee) or saliva (spit).
• Don't touch saliva or objects covered with saliva (such as cups, pacifiers, toys).
• Talk with your doctor to see if you should work in a day care center.

Additional Resources:

Publications

1.   Cytomegalovirus (CMV) — This CDC site provides general information on CMV and links to in-depth information.

   http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/index.htm

2.   You Can Prevent CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Infection — This online brochure answers basic questions about cytomegalovirus (CMV) and how to protect yourself from the virus.

   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/brochures/cmv.htm

3. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (Copyright © Project Inform) — This publication explains cytomegalovirus (CMV) and how it can affect people with HIV/AIDS. It lists the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for CMV, as well as prevention tips.

   http://www.projectinform.org/info/cmv/index.shtml

4. Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pregnancy (Copyright © MOD) — When a pregnant woman becomes infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), she can pass it to her unborn baby. Most newborns are not harmed by the virus. But CMV infection can cause the newborn to become very sick, develop lifelong disabilities, or even die. This publication provides information on CMV, how it is diagnosed in pregnant women and their babies, as well as tips to keep from getting CMV during pregnancy.

   http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1195.asp

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Content last updated March 4, 2009.