Cytomegalovirus, also known as CMV, is a virus that belongs to the herpes virus family. Once infected, CMV stays in the body for a lifetime, a characteristic of all herpes viruses. CMV infects people worldwide and usually causes no symptoms, according to Directors of Health Promotion and Education, an affiliate of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. CMV can cause serious illness and complications in those at increased risk for an active infection including babies, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system.
Mononucleosis
CMV accounts for approximately 7 percent of mononucleosis cases, an illness typically caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. CMV mononucleosis causes symptoms similar to EBV mononucleosis including fever, chills, sore throat, headache and fatigue. Patients with mononucleosis may also develop a rash.
Intestinal Problems
Receiving an organ transplant increases the risk for developing a CMV infection known as GI cytomegalic inclusion disease. This disease causes non-specific intestinal symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. The presence of CMV in the intestines can also lead to the development of ulcers producing symptoms similar to ulcerative colitis including anemia, fatigue, weight loss, rectal bleeding and skin lesions. CMV can also cause an intestinal perforation, or tear, that can lead to massive gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a case study published in the "Hong Kong Medical Journal."
Pneumonia
Cytomegalic inclusion disease can also affect the lungs, especially in patients receiving kidney transplants and lung transplants. CMV infections of the lungs can lead to pneumonia—inflammation of the lungs, causing a rapid onset of fever, a productive cough and shortness of breath. The onset of lung complications increases the chance of rejection of the newly transplanted organ.
Hepatitis
Cytomegalovirus infection can also cause liver complications such as the onset of hepatitis. Patients with CMV hepatitis develop fever, elevated liver enzymes and hyperbilirubinemia—a condition of too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin, a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells, causes yellowing of the skin and eyes, a condition known as jaundice. Severe hepatitis can lead to liver failure, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Encephalitis
CMV infections can affect the central nervous system causing encephalitis—inflammation of the brain. Mild encephalitis causes flu-like symptoms including headache, irritability, lethargy, fever and joint pain. More serious infections can cause confusion, hallucinations, personality changes and lead to seizures and loss of consciousness, according to MayoClinic.com.
