Cytomegalovirus
Alternate Names : CMV
What are the treatments for the disease?
Otherwise healthy people who have CMV do not usually need
therapy. For people with severely swollen tonsils, a medicine such as
prednisone
can be used to reduce the swelling and inflammation.
Antibiotics such as ganciclovir
and foscarnet
are used to treat active CMV in people with weakened immune systems.
These medicines are designed to stop the virus from multiplying, rather than
killing it.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
All medicines may have side effects. These may include
allergic reactions,
stomach upset, and other problems. A low white blood cell count is the most
common side effect of ganciclovir.
Other side effects depend on the medicines used.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
People who are healthy and get treatment can return to their usual
activities once they recover. No further monitoring is generally needed. People
who have weakened immune systems may need more careful monitoring for long
periods of time, possibly for the rest of their lives.
How is the disease monitored?
For a CMV infection of the eye in people who have AIDS, repeated
exams of the eyes and vision testing are needed. Affected people should
report any change in their vision. For people with pneumonia or gastrointestinal
disease, symptoms, a physical exam, and other blood and X-ray tests are
commonly used for monitoring. Any new or worsening symptoms should
be reported to the doctor.
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