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HIV and Cytomegalovirus

Topic Overview

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, swollen glands, body aches, and fatigue.

In people who have AIDS, CMV most often infects the eye (CMV retinitis), the esophagus (esophagitis), and the intestines (colitis). CMV can also cause pneumonia or liver inflammation (hepatitis). A CMV infection can be fatal.

CMV retinitis occurs in up to 40% of people who have CD4+ cell counts of less than 50 cells per microlitre (mcL), and it can cause blindness.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
Last Revised August 23, 2010

Last Revised: August 23, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine & Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine

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