Infectious mononucleosis (CMV)

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

CMV mononucleosis; Cytomegalovirus (CMV)


Symptoms
  • Enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Malaise
  • Muscle aches
  • Rash
  • Sore throat

Less common symptoms include:

  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Hives
  • Irregular heart beat
  • Jaundice
  • Neck stiffness
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swollen spleen and liver

Signs and tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and feel your belly area. The liver and spleen may be tender when they are gently pressed (palpated). There may be a skin rash.

Special lab tests may be done to check for substances in your blood that are produced by CMV. Other tests will be done to check your body’s response to the CMV infection. This includes a CMV ELISA antibody test and CMV serum PCR test.

Other tests include:

  • Blood tests for platelets and white blood cells
  • Chemistry panel
  • Liver function tests
  • Monospot test


Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)