What is CMV viremia?
CMV viremia is CMV circulating in the blood. CMV viremia is determined by special blood cultures for CMV virus. What are the symptoms of CMV? Since CMV can infect almost any organ, it can cause almost any symptom. Characteristically it causes fever, low white blood cell counts (leukopenia), and malaise. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. CMV hepatitis in a liver transplant recipient can cause elevations in liver enzyme levels that may be confused with rejection of a liver transplant. Similarly CMV nephritis in a kidney transplant recipient may cause elevated creatinine levels that may be confused with kidney transplant rejection. CMV pneumonitis may cause cough and shortness of breath. CMV gastritis and colitis may cause blood in the stools, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. CMV encephalitis may cause seizures, headaches, confusion, and coma.
