Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 5/23/2009

Question
one of my relative sufferred from acute lymphoblastic luekemia ( type of blood cancer) since last year. he has completed all the chemos and radiation therapy and now undergoing maintainance therapy. but from last 15-20 days he lost his vision day by day and now doctors come to the conclusion that its a viral infection called cmv IgG and Cmv IgM. ellisa test for cmv igG +ve 25.0 au per ml and elllisa test for IgM cmv +ve 2.98 . so my quistion is that will it be curable and ho much time it takes to cure? please give me details

Answer
Hello Sandip:

CMV infection is more common in childhood. By young adults most peopel have been exposed to the virus and have some immunity. Generally there are no symptoms or there is fever, fatigue sore throat and swollen glands in the neck. It is self limiting disease.

In people who are immune compromised and those on chemotherapy it is a more serious infection with fever, pneumonia, liver disease, eye etc can be affected.

There is presently no effective treatment for CMV infection. Symptomatic treatment may be provided.