Cytomegalovirus and HIV infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, swollen glands, body aches, and fatigue.

In people who have AIDS, CMV most often infects the eye (CMV retinitis), the esophagus (esophagitis), and the intestines (colitis). CMV can also cause pneumonia or liver inflammation (hepatitis). A CMV infection can be fatal.

CMV retinitis occurs in up to 40% of people who have CD4+ cell counts of less than 50 cells per microlitre (µL), and it can cause blindness.



Author: Douglas Dana
Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Last Updated: October 10, 2007
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine

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