Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

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Antibodies	Infectious mononucleosis	Infectious Mononucleosis #3	Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cell
Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cells	Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cells	Mononucleosis - mouth

CMV Mononucleosis; Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Most patients recover within 4 to 6 weeks without medication. Rest is needed, sometimes for a month or longer to regain full activity levels. Relief of symptoms is provided with pain killers and warm salt water gargles for sore throat.

Anti-viral medications are usually not used in those with normal immune function.

Fever usually goes away in 10 days, and swollen lymph glands and spleen return to normal in 4 weeks. Fatigue may linger for 2 to 3 months.

Secondary throat infection is the most common complication. Rare complications include:

• Colitis
• Pneumonia
• Pericarditis or myocarditis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Rupture of spleen
• Neurologic complications

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of acute CMV infection develop.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if sharp, sudden pain in left upper abdomen occurs. This could indicate a ruptured spleen, which requires emergency surgery.

Review Date: 09/18/2006
Reviewed By: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.