cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the herpesviruses. This group of viruses includes the herpes simplex viruses,
varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious
mononucleosis, also known as mono). CMV is a common infection that is usually harmless. Once CMV is in a person's
body, it stays there for life. Among every 100 adults in the United States, 50–80 are infected with CMV by the time they
are 40 years old.
Most healthy children and adults infected with CMV have no symptoms and may not even know that they have been
infected. Others may develop a mild illness when they get infected and have the following symptoms: fever, sore throat,
fatigue, and swollen glands. But since these are also symptoms of other illnesses, most people don't realize that they
have been infected with CMV.
Cytomegalovirus can also cause serious disease in babies who were infected with CMV before birth (referred to as
congenital CMV infection). About 1 in 150 children is born with congenital CMV infection. And about 1 of every 5
children born with congenital CMV infection will develop permanent problems (such as hearing loss or developmental
disabilities) due to the infection. Infants and children who are infected with CMV after birth rarely have symptoms or
problems. See Congenital CMV Infection for more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/overview.html