HIV and Cytomegalovirus

Topic Overview

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, swollen glands, body aches, and fatigue.

In people who have AIDS, CMV most often infects the eye (CMV retinitis), the esophagus (esophagitis), and the intestines (colitis). CMV can also cause pneumonia or liver inflammation (hepatitis). A CMV infection can be fatal.

CMV retinitis occurs in up to 40% of people who have CD4+ cell counts of less than 50 cells per microliter (mcL), and it can cause blindness.