|
 CMV retinitisCauses and Risks:Infection with CMV is very common. Eighty percent of adults have antibodies (an indication of previous infection) to it in their blood. Usually CMV produces no symptoms, but serious CMV infections can occur in people with impaired immunity , such as those with AIDS , organ transplant and bone marrow transplant recipients, and people receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments. CMV retinitis occurs in approximately 25% of AIDS patients and can become a sight-threatening infection. Retinitis usually begins in one eye, but progression to the other eye is common. Systemic CMV infection may also be present. Even with continuous treatment, progression of the disease to blindness can occur. This may result from viral resistance to drugs, or from continued deterioration of the person's immune system. Prevention: Because symptomatic CMV infection normally occurs only in immune compromised individuals avoiding the primary cause of immune deficiency, AIDS , will prevent CMV infection. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy , taking anti-rejection medications for transplant and cortisone therapy should have reverse isolation during the acute phase and avoid high exposure until immune function returns to normal. Symptoms:
|
