1 / 10Six persons have been diagnosed with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Delhi within 20 to 30 days of testing positive for coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.2 / 10All these patients admitted at Apollo had severe COVID 19 pneumonia in the preceding month, received high doses of steroids and had turned Covid negative at the time of detection of CMV disease, they said.3 / 10Cytomegalovirus infection is a common herpesvirus infection with a wide range of symptoms.4 / 10From no symptoms to fever and fatigue (resembling infectious mononucleosis) to severe symptoms involving the eyes, brain, or other internal organs.5 / 10The cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is usually found in patients with immunocompromised status like those who suffer from HIV, low CD4 counts, or are cancer post-transplant patients on immunosuppressive medicines etc.6 / 10Suppression of immunity due to COVID-19 and steroids gives CMV a chance to attack patients. 7 / 10The virus otherwise exists in 80-90 percent of the Indian population in asymptomatic form due to inherent immunity.8 / 10Dr Athar Ansari, Consultant (Department of Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep medicine), Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said.9 / 10In the past month, we have detected CMV disease in six patients with post COVID-19 syndrome that came with varied manifestations. 10 / 10Symptoms of CMV depend on which part of the body it is affecting. If it has direct involvement of lungs, the patient will have a fever, difficulty in breathing, chest pain or cough. CMV colitis is a known entity. Although more common in immunocompromised, it has been reported in immunocompetent patients earlier as well. CMV is an opportunistic infection that preys on low immunity, and COVID-19 is capable of severe immune suppression, the doctor added.