What is CMV?
CMV is similar to the herpes virus that causes cold sores and chickenpox.
Once you have the virus, it stays in your body for the rest of your life.
Your immune system usually controls the virus and most people don't realise they have it.
How CMV is spread
CMV is mainly spread through close contact with someone who already has CMV. It can be passed on through body fluids including saliva, blood and urine.
CMV can only be passed on when it is "active". This is when:
- you catch the virus for the first time – young children often get CMV for the first time at nursery
- the virus has "re-activated" – because you have a weakened immune system
- you've been re-infected – with a different type (strain) of CMV
Dear Huda J.B Al- Khilkhali,
Not sure if I understand your message correctly, but CMV typically shows opportunistic infections and its replication may thus be associated with immune deficiency of any sort, including HIV/AIDS and aging, or immune activation. CMV can manifest pneumonia, colitis, etc.
Article Cytomegalovirus Colitis: An Uncommon Mimicker of Common Colitides:
In addition, congenital CMV infection can be severe because of immature immune system of the infected babies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_cytomegalovirus_infection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertically_transmitted_infection#TORCH_complex
Regards,
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