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People with Weakened Immune Systems
Infection with CMV is a major cause of disease and death in immunocompromised
patients, including
Primary (or the first) CMV infection in the immunocompromised (weakened
immune system) person can cause serious disease. However, the more common problem is when the virus becomes active again in the body after being inactive (dormant) in the body. This is called reactivation.
Because of this risk, exposing immunosuppressed persons to outside sources of CMV should be minimized. Whenever possible, persons without CMV infection should be given organs and/or blood products that are free of the virus.
Ganciclovir therapy can help reduce CMV-related disease in immunosuppressed
persons.
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