From the Research
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent individuals typically doesn't require specific treatment as the immune system can usually control the infection effectively. Most CMV infections in healthy adults are asymptomatic or cause mild, self-limiting symptoms similar to mononucleosis, including fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
Key Considerations
- If treatment is necessary due to severe symptoms, ganciclovir 5mg/kg IV twice daily for 2-3 weeks may be used, though this is rarely needed, as noted in a study published in 2024 1.
- Alternatively, valganciclovir 900mg orally twice daily can be considered for less severe cases requiring treatment.
- Supportive care with rest, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen is usually sufficient for symptom management.
Potential Complications
- CMV establishes lifelong latency after primary infection, with the virus remaining dormant in various cells.
- While serious complications are rare in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can reactivate during periods of stress or immune suppression, so maintaining overall health is important for preventing complications, as highlighted in a case report from 2024 2.
- Certain populations, such as critically ill patients, pregnant women, elderly patients, and those with inflammatory bowel disease, may be more susceptible to severe CMV infection, as discussed in a review published in 2024 1.
Diagnosis and Management
- A solid diagnosis of active CMV infection can be quickly established (or ruled out) by widely available serology tests and PCR amplification, as mentioned in a study from 2024 1.
- Clinicians should be aware of the diverse presentations of CMV infection and consider it in the differential diagnosis of various syndromes in non-immunocompromised patients, as emphasized in a review published in 2024 1.