Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that can infect almost anyone. Most people don’t know they have CMV because it rarely causes symptoms. However, if you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system, CMV is cause for concern. Cytomegalovirus is related to the viruses that cause chickenpox, herpes simplex and mononucleosis. Once you’re infected with CMV, the virus remains with you for life, but it’s not always active. CMV may cycle through periods during which it lies dormant and then reactivates. CMV spreads from person to person through body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen and breast milk. CMV spread through breast milk usually doesn’t make the baby sick. However, if you are pregnant and develop an active infection, you can pass the virus to your baby.

Donor requirements for participation:

  • You must be clinically diagnosed by a medical professional. Confirmation of the diagnosis and/or treatment must be verified with your physician.
  • Be pre-screened to determine eligibility.
  • You’re willing to donate plasma through the apheresis process.
  • You must have a photo ID and be able to provide your social security number or proof of citizenship.
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must weight at least 110 lbs.
  • You must disclose if you have ever been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and/or HIV.

For questions and concerns about requirements or participation, contact us at (833) GO-4-CURE.

Symptoms

These include prolonged fever, general discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling, loss of appetite, fatigue, night sweats, muscle aches or joint pain, joint stiffness, weakness and weight loss.

Treatment

There’s no cure for CMV and there is generally no treatment required for otherwise healthy individuals, but drugs can help treat newborns and people with weak immune systems. Newborns and people with compromised immune systems may need treatment when they’re having symptoms of CMV infection, such as pneumonia. The kind of treatment depends on the symptoms and their severity. If treatment is needed, it’s most often in the form of antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs slow the virus reproduction but can’t cure it. Researchers are studying new medications and vaccines to treat and prevent CMV.

This information is not meant for clinical diagnosis, but as an educational resource derived from Mayo Clinic.

Discovering that you have been infected with a disease can be overwhelming with many unanswered questions and concerns. One that may come to mind is “how can I help someone else that may go the same process and struggles that I have experienced?” You can help by becoming a Specialty Antibody donor!

Participating in research allows scientists and clinicians find new treatments, tests and quicker diagnostic methods to improve patient outcomes and, hopefully, prevent the disease from spreading.

CMV

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