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Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

Alternative Names:

CMV Mononucleosis; Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Treatment:

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.

Expectations (prognosis):

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.

Complications:

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

Calling your health care provider:

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.

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