CMV Mononucleosis

[ween251]

I developed mono symptoms but the doctors' test showed that it was CMV and not EBV. I wonder if any of you could help... basically, the first 4-5 days were fever, then no more fever but inflammed tonsils with ulcer on uvula followed for 2 weeks during which it was extremely painful swallowing/drinking. Now, 3 weeks later from the incident, drinking/eating is much more bearable though slight tenderness is felt and there is still a small white-ish patch on each side of my tonsils.

When - or how long more - will all this go away??

(Sorry for posting in the EBV forum but I just thought I might get better advice here than elsewhere - cheers!)

[PlateletGal]

Hi ween,

CMV is a common virus and just like EBV, it falls under the herpesviruses group. Most people who had CMV hardly had any symptoms and many of them had no symptoms at all. However there are some people who have CMV and then get mono... so I hope your physician tested you for mono.

Keep us posted,

PlateletGal

[ween251]

Thank you for your reply. My symptoms seem typical enough of mono, and the doctor had thought it was mono but the test results were apparently that the mono symptoms stemmed from CMV and not EBV (which the doctor said is the test for mono). I've had tonsillitis before but OMG, this latest CMV one is taking soooo long to heal (5 weeks and counting) - I mean, compared to 4 weeks ago, my throat is soooo much better but there is still some tenderness I feel when drinking/swallowing.

Any idea what are the white-ishness on each side of the tonsils? I seem to recall the doctor saying that it's dead skin or summat... I think when that goes, I'll be 100% but it seems to be refusing to go. Oh well. Any advice would be comforting - thanks.

[PlateletGal]

Are you sure that you don't have strep throat ?

Since you've been ill for 5 weeks, I would consider seeing a Naturopathic physician. What I like about these physicians is that they spend time with you... normally an hour for your first appointment and they are good with dealing with chronic viruses and the immune system. I recall a woman on the fibro/CFS board who had CFS after having CMV. I wouldn't wish CFS on anyone.  = (

[ween251]

The doctor didn't find any bacterial infection so I guess that rules out strep throat. After the first 5 days, I didn't have any fever, it was just the inflammed throat.

Hmm. I might consider going to a naturopathic physician if this takes one week longer but for now I feel physically alright (been back to work for 3 weeks), just the slight discomfort with drinking/swallowing and my concern with the white-ishness on my tonsils.

As for CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), I don't know much about it - is it serious? I'm always moaning about being tired but that's probably self-inflicted as I don't sleep much to begin with.

Once again, thanks for your reply!

[PlateletGal]

To answer your question, yes CFS can be serious.

[ween251]

Alright. Those white patches are gone. But my throat still hurts. Whassup!!! =(

[sissylala]

What is CMV and how serious is CFS/EBV; doctor makes it sound grim in some ways, but I haven't researched it as just yesterday the conclusion was made.  Also I developed herpes (cold sores/fever blisters when I was young) and had mono twice (which the doctor said is almost unheard of?) I mention the herpes virus because of the above mentioning of it and am curious.  I don't have genital herpes just the ones around the mouth.  However, in 2001, I got a brand new one on my face/cheek per my doctor as if I caught a new strain/virus than what I already had, I work with the public alot, handling papers, etc, God knows what is on that stuff (I used hand sanitizer every day, but I guess germs find a way; wondering if it's connected since I've been sick off and on since then and went way down hill in the last 8 months.

Thank!

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! It is good to see you posting here. And just so you know... I'm also on the fibro/CFS board and the Community Leader on there.

CMV stands for " cytomegalovirus". Most individuals test positive for the virus and didn't even know they had it. They normally don't have any symptoms... or they may have cold like symptoms. However in some people and especially in individuals who are immune-compromised, patients can have on-going health problems after testing positive.

http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/


I got your PM and I sent you some links that I know you will relate to. I can only give you information that I have found to be helpful in my search for answers. Thank goodness that I had a Specialist who knows about CFS and put me on the right path.

btw... I forgot to give you this link of diagnostic tests that CFS patients fail. As I mentioned on thankful's journal... the halter heart test seems to be the only test that all of us are failing. But there is also that research test that Red Labs USA is doing. Apparently it is diagnosing CFS and fibromyalgia. Here's the link :

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Fibromyalgia/Diagnostic--Blood-Tests-to-Help-Diagnose-CFS/show/376?cid=39

[LadySheline]

I was diagnosed with CMV nearly 10 years ago.
I am sad to report that my symptoms have come back with a vengence. I have had at least 6-7 cases of tonsillitis in the last year. I am feeling tire all the time...
I'm very upset since the onset nearly 10 years ago took nearly 8 months to diagnose and I was told that I would not go through that again. But with the research I have been doing lately, apparantly re-activation is not as rare as I was made to believe.
Words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.