Cytomegalovirus esophagitis

Treatment involves antiviral medications that are given through a vein (intravenously), such as ganciclovir or foscarnet. In some cases, patients are given an antiviral medicine called valganciclovir, which is taken by mouth.

Some people with this condition also need pain medicine.

Many people who are treated for an episode of CMV esophagitis take medicine to suppress the CMV for a long time.

Esophagitis can usually be treated effectively. The outcome depends on the immune system problem that makes the person more likely to get the infection.

• Infection at other sites
• Holes in your esophagus (perforations)
• Recurrent infection

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of CMV esophagitis, especially if you have a suppressed immune system.

Images

CMV esophagitis

Upper gastrointestinal system

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Review Date: 08/28/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, 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)