If you think you have developed a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection for the first time, you do not need to see your GP for a diagnosis as long as you are otherwise healthy.
Blood test
A blood test will be carried out if it is necessary to diagnose CMV, for example because you are going to have an organ transplant.
Regular testing for CMV may be recommended if you are receiving a treatment that is known to weaken the immune system, such as chemotherapy
If you have a CMV infection, your immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness) will produce special cells called antibodies to fight off the infection. The blood test will check whether or not antibodies are present in your blood.
Congenital CMV
If it is thought that your newborn baby may have congenital CMV, the virus can usually be detected by examining a sample of their body fluids, such as their urine or blood.
