How Do I Take Care Of Cmv Retinitis

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Get the Facts

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

What Is CMV? How Is CMV Treated? Can CMV Be Prevented? How Do I Choose a Treatment for CMV? The Bottom Line What Is CMV? Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can cause an opportunistic infection (see Fact Sheet 500 .) 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...

Ask the Experts

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 »

AIDS and CMV retinitis

I have a friend in Peru just diagnosed with AIDS (CD4 below 50 and 500,000 VL) and CMV retinitis (blurred vision in one eye). He is receiving mixed information about when to start HAART: has been said that HAART can cause more vision complications....

Response from Joseph McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P.

North Shore University Hospital

Assuming your friend is being treated for his CMV retinitis, it is recommended to being HAART a couple of weeks after starting treatment for CMV. There should be close monitoring of his response to HIV treatment as well as the treatment response to... 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 »

Disability and CMV retinitis

I am a 48-year old female working 30 hours a week as a special education teacher confultant. From 1995-1998 (pre-protease days), I was on total disability (through employer's LTD and SSDI) due to AIDS (T4 of 13) + bilateral CMV retinitis. I...

Response from Lynn L. Franzoi

Worldwide Benefits for Fox, Inc.

Work your doctors (internist, retina specailist, etc.) to complile the necessary medical back-up to apply for SSDI. It is not uncommon dfor Social Secuirty to deny the initial application. However, many times it is granted upon appeal. So if you... 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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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 »

eye implant for cmv

Posted by princealbert, 1 Reply

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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