Symptoms of CMV Infection
The virus often remains inactive in the body. There are often no symptoms. Sometimes, the virus is activated. Reactivation of the virus can happen if your immune system becomes impaired. This can happen because of medication or illness. In this case symptoms can occur.
The symptoms are similar to mononucleosis , another herpes virus infection, and include:
People with suppressed or impaired immune systems can also develop:
- Pneumonia
- Colitis -inflammation of the large intestines
- Retinitis -an eye infection that can cause blindness
- Chronic liver disease
Babies born with congenital CMV infection can have the following problems:
- Hearing loss
- Deafness
- Blindness
- Mental retardation
- Developmental problems
- Chronic liver disease
Infants who get a CMV infection after birth rarely have any symptoms or complications.