Treating 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...

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 »

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 »

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

implant.Valganciclovir (Valcyte)Valganciclovir is the only approved oral treatment and is as effective as IV ganciclovir for treating CMV retinitis. For induction therapy, it's given as two 450mg tablets twice a day for 3 weeks. For... 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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cmv, rd detach,loosing my vision

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

HI
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO IN MY SITUATION, I HAD MY RETINA RE-ATTACHED, HOWEVER EVERYTHING IS DARK, DUE TO TISSUE GROWING AFTER SURGERY, I NEED SOME ADVISED, THANK YOU

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HPV CMV

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

When do these show up in HIV infection

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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 »

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