What is the full form of JCV

JCV: John Cunningham Virus

JCV stands for John Cunningham Virus. It is a neurotropic (affects nervous system) virus that belongs to the Polyomaviridae family of viruses. It causes an infection of the brain and spinal cord called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). JCV infects only humans, particularly those people who are suffering from AIDS or a have weak immune system. It infects the white matter of the brain and the cells that are responsible for making myelin (protective covering of nerve cells). It may cause permanent disabilities and even death.

The virus is carried by a majority of people and is harmless until it is activated. It gets activated when a person's immune system weakens due to a disease or immunosuppressive medication. This virus was discovered in 1971. It was found in the brain of a man who had Hodgkin's lymphoma, so it was named after that man. It is a small virus that has double-stranded DNA, but does not have an envelope.

Symptoms

The symptoms of JC virus infection vary from person to person depending on the area of the brain that is infected. Some common symptoms are as follows:

• Stress
• Fatigue/tiredness
• Clumsiness
• Trouble speaking
• Vision problems
• Depressed or anxious mood