How Common Is Cmv Retinitis

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Get the Facts

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

What Is CMV? Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an opportunistic infection. The virus is very common. Between 50% and 85% of the US population tests positive for CMV by the time they are 40 years old. A healthy immune system keeps this virus in check. When the immune defenses are weak, CMV can attack several parts of the body. This can be caused by various diseases including HIV. Combination antiviral therapy has reduced the rate of CMV in people with...

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CMV still common with Hart? How do you prevent it?

Dear experts,How do you explain this article on CMV visual loss being common in Hart era, does this often still occur with individuals using Hart?What can one do to prevent this from occuring to themselves. Thanks.BartCMV-related visual loss...

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

The visual loss that Dr. Freeman and his colleagues describe is due to the (hyper)activity of the immune system following HIV therapy and not to CMV itself. It is thought that as the immune system improves with HIV therapy it reacts to some... Read more »

HIV and CMV (CMV)

Hi...My dad has been HIV+ for about 9 years now. He was diagnosed with ALL last year (which at this moment is currently in remission). He is currently taking maintence chemo pills and Atripla for his HIV. He was just told he has CMV. Is he in the...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Because your dad is HIV positive and now has CMV (cytomegalovirus), he meets the definition for AIDS. I'll reprint below some information about CMV from the archives. I encourage you to review the wealth of information on this site. It... Read more »

how to diagnose CMV retinitis?

dear doctor ,,,I have symptoms in my eyes ,,but if I go to eye doctor how he will diagnose that I have CMV retinitis?is it by blood test only ? I mean if I did blood test for CMV ,,,if both IgG and IgM CMV test came positive ,,does this mean that I...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

The only way to diagnose CMV retinitis is to have an exam by an eye doctor experienced in treating HIV+s. The blood tests merely tell whether you have been exposed to CMV recently (IgM) or in the past (IgG). People who are IgG+ are at risk for... Read more »

multiple drug resistance, poor response, cmv retinitis returns

I've been off antivirals now for 5 months, after genotype and phenotype show no viable combinations for me. Been through almost everything, resistant to most.CD4 is 34, vl is 433,000, and now CMV retinitis is reactivated. I'd like to avoid...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

No. CMV is a systemic disease, which means that virus can be found throughout the body, not just in the eye. Studies of the ganciclovir implant have demonstrated a real risk of disease elsewhere-- including the untreated eye-- because the only... Read more »

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cmv retinitis

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Does anyone know if you could have CMV retinitus for years without showing any other signs of HIV or AIDS?
I have read that it comes in the later stages, and I have had the symptoms for years but otherwise feel o.k

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cmv + high CD4

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Does anyone know if it is even remotely possible to have CMV retinitis at a CD4 of over 600 (37%)? I have had floaters for almost 5 months and the opthamologist says that I have a little retina thining but no disease. I have tested neg for HIV a... Read more »

support groups for people with CMV and blindness?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hey everybody,

I'm living in Miami Beach in Florida, and have CMV Retinitis. I was wondering if anybody out there knows of, or might want to start, a support group or organizations for people with CMV Retinitis who suffered blindness as a result of... Read more »

implant for cmv

Posted by princealbert

Has anyone had a vitrasert implant for cmv retinitis? I'm concerned because it's now 2 1/2 weeks after surgery, and my vision is still very cloudy, like someone smeared vaseline over my right lens. I've been examined 3 times thoroughly, and doctors... Read more »

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