Should I get tested for CMV?
Should I get tested for CMV?
You are not likely to be tested for CMV It is not recommended that doctors routinely test pregnant women for CMV infection. This is because laboratory tests cannot predict which developing babies will become infected with CMV or have long-term health problems.
Do they test for CMV when you donate blood?
Regular testing is conducted on blood donations to check for CMV antibodies. The CMV virus is present in up to 85 percent of adults by age 40 – making CMV negative status a big deal.
Why is CMV important?
However, it is impossible to be certain of your CMV status without a blood test. But since CMV causes more birth defects and congenital disabilities than many other well-known diseases, including spina bifida, Down syndrome, and pediatric HIV infection, it is important to understand the risks and realities of CMV.
How do I know if my CMV is active?
Most people with acquired CMV have no noticeable symptoms, but if symptoms do occur, they may include:
- fever.
- night sweats.
- tiredness and uneasiness.
- sore throat.
- swollen glands.
- joint and muscle pain.
- low appetite and weight loss.
How do I know if I am CMV positive?
The initial screening test is a “total antibody test”. Anybody who has ever been infected with CMV will have a positive total antibody test. If positive, we test further to detect which specific antibodies are elevated. If the infection is recent / active, the IgM antibody level will be elevated.
What do you need to know about the CMV test?
The CMV test is a low-risk procedure that involves a simple blood draw. You don’t need to take any special steps to prepare for it. Your doctor can use it to learn if you have an active CMV infection or have had one in the past. They can also use it to monitor your progress if you’ve received treatment for a CMV infection.
When did they start testing for CMV in blood donations?
In 1980, we developed and adopted early tests for CMV…in fact, we were the first blood center in the world to routinely test for it. Today, we screen every single donation for CMV, which prevents transmission of the virus to newborns.
Are there any blood components that are CMV negative?
CMV negative blood components are indicated for fetal and intrauterine transfusions, low birth weight premature infants born to CMV seronegative mothers and CMV negative recipients of organ, peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants from CMV negative donors. Between 50 and 80% of the US population has been infected with CMV.
Do you need negative CMV red blood cells for organ transplant?
Organ transplant patients do not require CMV IgG negative blood components. CMV IgG negative red cells and platelets may be replaced with leucodepleted blood components for adults and children post haemopoietic stem cell transplantation for all patient groups, including negative donors and recipients.
