CMV is a common member of the herpesvirus family. Most healthy adults either have no symptoms or experience mild flu-like signs. However, CMV can become serious in people with weakened immune systems—such as those with HIV, organ transplant recipients, or newborns. Once you’re infected, the virus stays dormant in your body and may reactivate if your immunity drops.
When CMV causes noticeable illness, you may develop:
CMV spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Major transmission routes include:
At GastroDoxs in Houston, we specialize in comprehensive CMV (Cytomegalovirus) management-from advanced viral load testing and tailored antiviral therapy to ongoing supportive care. Our patient-centered approach ensures you receive personalized treatment plans designed to protect your health and restore your well-being. Don’t wait to take control of your CMV infection-book an appointment with our expert team today.
We've successfully treated more than 1K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
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Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
CMV is a common virus in the herpes family that typically causes mild or no symptoms in healthy individuals but can lead to serious illness in those with weakened immune systems, organ transplant recipients, and newborns.
An acute CMV infection may present with fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and occasionally jaundice or vision changes if the eyes are involved.
A positive CMV IgG result means you’ve been infected with CMV in the past, while a positive IgM suggests a recent or active infection. Measuring viral load can help assess current virus activity.
Yes. CMV spreads through close contact with body fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, breast milk, and via organ transplants or sexual activity, often before any symptoms appear.
People with HIV, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy, and newborns are at greatest risk for severe CMV-related complications.
Yes. CMV can cause liver inflammation and jaundice, particularly in infants or immunocompromised patients, and may require antiviral treatment and regular monitoring.
At GastroDoxs, CMV is managed with antiviral medications like ganciclovir or valganciclovir, regular blood tests to monitor IgG, IgM, and viral load levels, plus supportive care to protect affected organs.
See a CMV specialist if you have persistent symptoms like fever or swollen glands, a weakened immune system, known exposure, or a positive CMV test result to prevent complications.
Yes. Good hygiene-frequent hand-washing, avoiding sharing utensils or drinks, and practicing safe sex-can significantly reduce the risk of CMV transmission.
Recovery time varies: healthy individuals often recover within a few weeks, while immunocompromised patients may need extended antiviral therapy and close follow-up care.
