Symptoms & Signs
Gastrointestinal CMV disease may affect one area or the entire body. Ulcers can occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. Such ulcers are associated with symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
When the intestines are involved, the ulcers may cause:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stools
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Weight loss
More severe infections can result in gastrointestinal bleeding or a hole through the wall of the bowel.
Diagnosis & Tests
Tests that may be done include:
- Barium enema
- Colonoscopy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Stool culture to rule out other causes of infection
- Upper GI and small bowel series
Laboratory tests will be done on a sample of tissue taken from your stomach or intestine. The tests, such as a gastric or intestinal tissue culture or biopsy, determine if the virus is in the tissue.
A CMV serology test is done to look for the virus in your blood.
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CMV – gastroenteritis/colitis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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CMV – gastroenteritis/colitis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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CMV – gastroenteritis/colitis : Treatment
Review Date : 11/17/2008
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
