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STDs (Expert Forum)
CMV and NGU/NSU
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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CMV and NGU/NSU
by marriedlove, Apr 25, 2005 12:00AM
I'm curious about sexual transmission of CMV. Some months back, my partner presented with NGU. He was tested for all of the usual suspects, but everything came back negative. After he finished several courses of medication (his symptoms--especially the vague urethral tingling/itching--were persistent), and his symptoms finally resolved, we resumed intercourse.
I'm a regular blood donor, and have always been classified CMV negative. Until last time! So, I'm curious. How likely is it that I acquired my new CMV positive status sexually from my partner? Can CMV cause NSU/NGU? Since it is one of the herpes viruses, it seems at least theoretically possible that it might.
I realize, by the way, that CMV isn't particularly dangerous to me, since I'm not immunosuppressed, and since I wasn't pregnant when I first got it (and so needn't worry about complications for a fetus). Still, now that my blood products can no longer go to patients who *are* immunosuppressed, I'm more than a little interested in finding out how I might have gotten this.
Also, I suppose the nonspecificity of the NSU diagnosis frustrates me a bit. Seems like such a catch all. In some ways, a more definitive diagnosis would have been preferable, if not for my physical health, then at least for my mental health. The not knowing exactly what transpired is maddening!
Thanks for any input.
marriedlove
I'm a regular blood donor, and have always been classified CMV negative. Until last time! So, I'm curious. How likely is it that I acquired my new CMV positive status sexually from my partner? Can CMV cause NSU/NGU? Since it is one of the herpes viruses, it seems at least theoretically possible that it might.
I realize, by the way, that CMV isn't particularly dangerous to me, since I'm not immunosuppressed, and since I wasn't pregnant when I first got it (and so needn't worry about complications for a fetus). Still, now that my blood products can no longer go to patients who *are* immunosuppressed, I'm more than a little interested in finding out how I might have gotten this.
Also, I suppose the nonspecificity of the NSU diagnosis frustrates me a bit. Seems like such a catch all. In some ways, a more definitive diagnosis would have been preferable, if not for my physical health, then at least for my mental health. The not knowing exactly what transpired is maddening!
Thanks for any input.
marriedlove
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Apr 25, 2005 12:00AM
, Apr 25, 2005 12:00AM
CMV doesn't cause nongonococcal ("nonspecific") urethritis, or NGU; several studies have looked for CMV in men with NGU, without result. However, you are right that CMV can be sexually transmitted and acquired; and STDs often go together. So it is conceivable you acquired CMV around the time your partner had NGU. However, I'm not sure what CMV test blood centers are using these days, and whether a newly positive result always means new infection, or perhaps just variation in test sensitivity so that a long-established infection may show up from time to time.
Yes, it would be preferable to have more clarity on the causes of NGU. However, except for the cases caused by chlamydia (20-40%), NGU has never been shown to be a problem for men's sex partners--no infertility, no PID, no cervicitis, nothing. So I wouldn't lose much sleep over it.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Yes, it would be preferable to have more clarity on the causes of NGU. However, except for the cases caused by chlamydia (20-40%), NGU has never been shown to be a problem for men's sex partners--no infertility, no PID, no cervicitis, nothing. So I wouldn't lose much sleep over it.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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