Definition:
Hemmorhagic fever belongs to a group of viral hemmorhagic fevers (VHFs), which are human and animal diseases caused by any four RNA families: Filoviridae, Arenaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Bunyaviridae.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis may be difficult for patients of hemmorhagic fever, because all sufferers present the same symptoms: headache, muscle ache, fever, and extreme fatigue. Additionally, these symptoms are present in a number of diseases as well.
Doctors may need to inquire into a patient’s recent travels, including any possible encounters with mosquitoes and rodents that may have passed on the virus. Laboratory exams are also conducted to check blood samples.
Treatment:
Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, is prescribed to decrease further infection and complications. There is no specific treatment for the total cure of hemmorhagic fevers.
Supportive care is given to patients of VHF’s, these include mechanical ventilators to aid breathing; adequate fluids for electrolyte balance (liquids with sodium, chloride, calcium, and potassium); kidney dialysis if needed, and therapy for secondary infections or complications.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of VHF’s include bleeding disorders, fever, and in extreme cases, high fever, shock, and even death.
Other symptoms include chest and face flushes, edema, malaise, hypotension, headache, myalgias, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Causes:
Humans and animals may contract any of the VHF viruses through a number of ways, although usually respiratory.
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