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Living with Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection

A rare viral illness in which cytomegalovirus spreads to many organs in people with healthy immune systems.

Understanding Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection

Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection is a rare viral disease in which cytomegalovirus (CMV) quickly spreads to many organs.

It can involve the brain, lungs, liver, and heart, among others. It causes strong whole-body symptoms in people with healthy immune systems. It can happen at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weight loss and poor appetite
  • Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
  • Lung inflammation (pneumonia)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Which organs are affected in my case?
What tests track the infection?
Which specialists should be on my care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

GARD describes this as an infection with cytomegalovirus that spreads through the body. It doesn't list a genetic cause.

Infectious

Also known as: idiopathic disseminated cmv infection; severe disseminated cmv infection in immunocompetent patients; severe disseminated cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent patients

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infectionGARD ID 18811 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection.

Explore the Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection blog

Explore research for Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection

Explore actively recruiting Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Idiopathic disseminated cytomegalovirus infection with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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