Sunday, August 7, 2011

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (say: si-toe-meg-ah-low-vi-russ), or CMV, is a very common virus. People are usually infected by the time they are 2 years old or during their teenage years and carry the virus for life (usually in a dormant or inactive state). The majority of adults carry the virus by the time they are 40 years of age. Many people are infected with CMV and don't even know it because the virus rarely causes symptoms and usually does not cause long-term problems.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000663.htm

I had never heard of this "virus" but  now that I have "felt" its effects, I do not think I will forget it.
Mine came in the form of ~
CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis (need I say more???)
I had mentioned I haven't been feeling well for several weeks and this stupid "flu" was kicking my butt, after loosing 10 lbs and not being able to eat for almost 2 weeks not only was my family doctor getting worried but so was my transplant team.
Thursday night after a SHORT phone conversation with Dr. R,  I was in Murray the next morning being admitted to the hospital with extreme dehydration and some scary "flu"  that had to be figured out.
Once they found the active CMV virus in my blood they were able to start treating me.
I am still learning that I have an immunocompromised system, and if I get just a little sick I HAVE to contact the doctor.
So...today I had my first meal in 2 weeks that included a fork!!!
Life is looking up!

3 comments:

SAYDA said...

Yikes! Get better soon!!!

Lene said...

Get better soon you silly girl!

Cynthia said...

Ack! I'm glad you are getting the help you need to get over it- it sounds just awful! As a consolation, you should get to keep the weight loss. Really, you earned it the hard way, it's only fair!