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Warning-sign checks

CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Emergency symptoms such as heavy bleeding, fainting, severe abdominal pain, a rigid or swollen abdomen, confusion, or inability to stay hydrated should not wait for a routine appointment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the care team promptly if symptoms worsen during treatment, doses cannot be kept down, or side effects develop.

    Fever, mouth sores, unusual bruising, marked weakness, or signs of infection may be related to low blood-cell counts and should be reported.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up usually includes a review of diarrhea, pain, bleeding, appetite, weight, and the ability to drink and take medicine.

    Blood counts and kidney function are monitored during antiviral treatment.

    Other tests may be needed according to the person’s underlying condition.

    Keep scheduled follow-up with the specialists managing immune suppression, HIV, transplantation, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease.

    Do not stop antiviral or immune-modifying medicine without speaking with the prescribing team.

The article also says

Blood CMV PCR can help track response in some patients, especially transplant recipients, but it is not a complete measure of intestinal healing.

Symptoms, examination findings, and laboratory trends must be considered together.

Repeat endoscopy is not required for everyone.

It may be considered if symptoms continue, return, or do not match the blood-test results.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.