Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection

Healthcare providers use blood, urine (pee) or saliva (spit) tests to diagnose CMV. Since it usually causes mild symptoms, most people won’t need to be tested.

Your healthcare provider may test you for CMV if you have a weakened immune system. Your child’s healthcare provider may test them in their first few weeks of life if they have symptoms of congenital CMV.

What tests will be done to diagnose CMV?

To diagnose CMV, your healthcare provider may order some or all of these tests:

Blood tests. A provider usually uses blood tests to diagnose CMV in adults. Your provider will use a needle to take blood from your vein. They’ll send it to a lab to look for signs of infection.
Urine tests. A provider might use a urine (pee) test to diagnose CMV in a newborn baby. Your baby’s provider will either collect a sample or give you instructions on how to collect one. They’ll send the sample to a lab to look for signs of CMV.
Saliva tests. A provider might use a saliva (spit) test to diagnose CMV in a newborn baby. Your baby’s provider will use a stick with a soft tip (swab) to gently collect a small amount of spit from the inside of your baby’s mouth. They’ll send the sample to a lab to look for signs of CMV.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.