Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Test: Overview, Uses, Risks & Result

What Are Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Tests?

Part of the herpes virus family includes the cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can cause sexual or genital infections. Besides chickenpox, mononucleosis (mono) is another type of herpes virus. It is very common to contract CMV infections. 

Most adults are exposed to CMV during their childhood or early adulthood. Getting rid of the virus from the body is impossible once it has been infected. Viruses usually remain dormant (inactive) for a long time. Stress or an immune system problem can, however, reactivate it. Healthy individuals usually only experience mild, flu-like symptoms or none when infected with CMV. The majority of people with CMV are unaware that they have it. Cancer and HIV can weaken immune systems, so CMV is dangerous for those with weakened immune systems.

Children can also suffer from significant health problems as a result of it. A pregnant woman with an active CMV infection can pass the virus to an unborn child. Children infected with CMV before birth can have deafness, blindness, intellectual disabilities, and other serious disorders.

The CMV test looks for signs of the virus in the blood, sputum, or other body fluid. It is important to get CMV testing for people at risk for complications to receive the right treatment. The symptoms of CMV can be reduced, and outcomes may be improved with antiviral pharmaceuticals and other treatments.

What Are CMV Tests Used For?

CMV tests detect CMV infections in people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.

Infections with CMV can lead to serious health problems. They can also cause damage to your liver and brain, especially if you have a weakened immune system. In some cases, the CMV infection itself can cause cancer.

The most common type of CMV is known as cytomegalovirus (CMV). It is a very common virus that causes flu-like symptoms in about 1 in 20 infected people. Most people recover from the infection without any problems.

However, for some people — especially older adults or those with weakened immune systems — the infection may lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Purpose of CMV Test

The CMV test aims to determine whether or not you are infected with CMV. You may wonder why this test is so important, but it can help with many different aspects of your life. For example, if you have an infection, it may affect your health in several ways. This includes:

• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Being unable to sleep
• Having joint pain or stiffness
• Having trouble with memory and concentration
• Having swollen lymph nodes

The Procedure of The CMV Test

Testing for CMV can be done in a number of ways, including:

Blood Tests

CMV is most commonly tested in adults using Blood Test. A healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle during the test. During the procedure, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial after the needle is inserted.

CSF Test

As part of the spinal tap, otherwise known as a lumbar puncture, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will be collected.

This test consists of an injection of anesthetic into your back and the insertion of a thin, hollow needle between the two vertebrae in your lower spine. Each vertebra of your spine is made up of a number of smaller bones.

After a small amount of fluid has been withdrawn, your provider will conduct tests on it.

Sputum Test

• An infection or chronic illness can cause your lungs to produce thick mucus, known as sputum.
• The test involves breathing deeply and coughing deeply into a special cup while your provider examines you.
• To loosen sputum from your lungs, your healthcare provider may tap you on the chest.

Biopsy

• A small sample of tissue will be removed for testing during the procedure.
• Various surgical instruments can take biopsies, including needles and special instruments.

Amniocentesis

• Pregnant women undergo this procedure to determine if their unborn babies are infected with CMV.
• An exam table will place you on your back during the procedure.
• An ultrasound device will be moved over your abdomen by your provider. An ultrasound checks the position of your uterus, placenta, and baby using sound waves.
• An amniotic fluid sample will be withdrawn from your abdomen with a thin needle inserted by your provider.

Risk of CMV Test

The risk of the CMV test is low. But if you're not sure, it's better to get tested so that you can avoid the possibility of complications such as infertility or cancer.

If you have a family history of CMV, it's recommended that you get tested for CMV every time you have unprotected sex. If your partner has symptoms such as fever and rash, it's also recommended that you get tested for CMV before having unprotected sex with them.

It's important to note that people infected with CMV can transmit the virus to their partners without showing any symptoms. If a pregnant woman gets infected with CMV during pregnancy, her baby may be born with severe defects like microcephaly (small head), hearing loss, or learning disabilities. It is also possible that they may develop infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and meningitis later in life.

What Do The Results Mean?

It is possible to determine if you are infected with CMV based on the test results. There is no way to tell whether it's a reactivated infection, a past infection, or a current infection. A healthcare provider may be able to perform additional tests if you have any symptoms and risk factors, such as an immune system disorder so that they can help make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan that is appropriate for you. 

Your child's provider may recommend testing and treating your baby soon after birth if your amniocentesis shows that your baby has CMV, should you become pregnant. Your baby is found to have this infection during pregnancy.

If you have questions about your results, talk to your healthcare provider or your child's provider.

Conclusion

Children and adults who are healthy don't usually need treatment. In most cases, healthy adults infected with CMV mononucleosis do not require medication to recover.

A newborn or someone with weakened immunity should be treated if they have symptoms of CMV infection. Different treatment types depend on the signs and symptoms and their severity.

In most cases, antiviral medications are used to treat the disease. In addition to slowing the virus' reproduction, they cannot eliminate it.