This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Cytomegalovirus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Cytomegalovirus refers to any of a group of highly host-specific herpesviruses, infecting Man, monkeys or rodents, producing unique large cells with intranuclear inclusions ('Owls eyes'). The virus specific for man causes cytomegalic inclusion disease, and it has been associated with a syndrome resembling infectious mononucleosis.

The virus is widespread in the community. About 50% of pregnant women in the UK have antibodies to CMV. Cytomegalovirus infection in utero can cause significant clinical problems. These may present in the perinatal period, or, due to the latent nature of the virus, at a time when the immune system is compromised.

Other than vertical transmission, passage of CMV between children and from children to adults is common, whereas adult-to-adult transmission is rare.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.