What is the Difference Between CMV and HSV

The main difference between CMV and HSV is that CMV is not a sexually transmitted infection, whereas HSV is a sexually transmitted infection.

CMV and HSV are two infections that occur in humans. They cause severe infections in fetal and newborn children.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is CMV
– Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is HSV
– Definition, Features, Importance
3. Similarities Between CMV and HSV
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between CMV and HSV
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

CMV, HSV

What is CMV

CMV, or cytomegalovirus, is a common virus infecting humans of all ages. However, the infection does not show any signs or symptoms. Babies born with CMV have congenital CMV. Generally, such babies can have problems in the brain, spleen, liver, lungs, and growth. The most common congenital syndrome of CMV-infected babies is hearing loss. Although CMV infection does not show symptoms, some people may get mild illnesses, including fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands. Occasionally, CMV causes mononucleosis or hepatitis. It can also affect people with weakened immune systems and health issues with the lungs, liver, stomach, esophagus, intestines, and eyes.

Figure 1: CMV Infection

Furthermore, CMV infection can spread through saliva, blood, urine, semen, tears, and breast milk. Therefore, blood tests are essential in diagnosing CMV. But in newborns, saliva and urine are important as body fluids to test. Although people infected with CMV generally do not require treatment, people with weakened immune systems and newborns may require treatment.

What is HSV

HSV, or herpes simplex virus, is a common infection that causes ulcers and painful blisters. It is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. There are two types of HSV. They are HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 is one of the two types of herpes virus. It is also called the oral herpes. HSV 1 causes fever, blisters, and cold sores around the mouth and lips. Apart from that, it can cause genital herpes. Most genital herpes is caused by HSV 2, the second type of herpes virus. The transmission of oral secretions or sores on the skin, kissing, sharing toothbrushes, etc., can spread HSV 1 infection. It can spread without sores as well. Pregnant women with genital herpes can spread the disease to the child during birth. Also, both herpes viruses can go through a dormant period before showing the symptoms.

Figure 2: HSV Infection

Moreover, HSV 2 is the other type of herpes virus called genital herpes. Infected people have sores around the genitals and rectum. It also causes sores below the waist. Sexual contact is the reason behind the spreading of HSV 2 infection. The main symptom of HSV 2 infection is the sores in the genital areas. There is no cure for the herpes virus but treatments relief the symptoms. Medication can reduce the pain and shorten the healing time. It also reduces the total number of outbreaks. Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex are drugs for HSV 2 infection.

Similarities Between CMV and HSV

• CMV and HSV are two infections in humans.
• They cause severe infections in newborn and fetal children.
• They belong to the family Orthoherpesviridae. 

Difference Between CMV and HSV

Definition

CMV, or cytomegalovirus, is a common virus that infects people of all ages. At the same time, HSV, or herpes simplex virus, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers.

Type

CMV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), while HSV is a sexually transmitted infection.

Transmission

CMV transmits through body fluids, including semen, while HSV transmits through sex.

Symptoms

The symptoms of CMV include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands, while the symptoms of HSV include blisters (cold sores) or open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips.  

Conclusion

In brief, CMV and HSV are two infections in humans. CMV is a common infection. It is not transmitted through sex. But the transmission of CMV occurs through body fluids, including semen. Fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands are the symptoms of CMV infection. In comparison, HSV is also a common infection that causes herpes. However, it is a sexually transmitted infection. Blisters (cold sores) or open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips are the symptoms of HSV infection. Therefore, the main difference between CMV and HSV is their transmission. 

References:

1. Healthline Media. (n.d.). Is CMV a herpes virus?. Healthline. 
2. World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). Herpes simplex virus. World Health Organization. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cytomegalovirus 01” By Angusmclellan – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Herpes simplex virus pap test ” By Nephron – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia