Infectious health conditions that sometimes can be life-threatening and are caused by exposure to infected rodents or insect bites from mosquitoes or ticks are called viral hemorrhagic fevers. These conditions can cause blood vessels to leak and prevent the blood from clotting. Check below some viral hemorrhagic fevers:
- Ebola
- Dengue
- Crimean-Congo
- Hantavirus
- Marburg
- Lassa
- Yellow fever
Previous conditions usually happen in tropical areas (such as Central Africa). However, in the U.S. people get viral hemorrhagic fevers when traveling to regions where these diseases are common.
Unfortunately, there are available vaccines for a few types of viral hemorrhagic fevers and the best way to prevent them is to get protected against these conditions.
Symptoms
The symptoms are different among people because it depends on which type of disease you experience. Check below some symptoms:
Check below some severe symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fevers:
- Bleeding under the skin, inside the body, or from the ears, eyes, or mouth
- Nervous system problems
- Coma
- Delirium
- Kidney failure
- Breathing problems
- Liver failure
You should see a doctor before traveling to regions with an increased risk of viral hemorrhagic fevers. In any case, if any of the previous symptoms occur, you should seek medical care immediately.
Causes
These diseases happen when you are in contact with infected animals. In most cases, people get infected with these conditions when come in direct contact with mosquitoes, ticks, rodents, nonhuman primates, or bats.
How The Infection Spreads?
Most viral hemorrhagic fevers spread to people through body fluids including saliva, semen, or blood, and by inhaling infected rat urine or feces. However, there are some types of this disease that may spread among people. Furthermore, people usually develop symptoms of the infection within 3 weeks after returning home from regions where these conditions are common.
Risk Factors
Higher risk of developing viral hemorrhagic fevers have people who live, work, or travel to regions where infections are common. Check below other factors that may increase your risk of developing the disease:
- Direct contact with infected people
- Eating or killing infected animals
- Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person
- Getting in contact with infected blood or other body fluids
What Are The Possible Complications of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers?
People with these infections may develop some complications, especially if they ignore the symptoms and do not get treatment. Examples include:
- Organ failure
- Death
- Septic shock
How to Prevent Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers?
In most cases, it is quite difficult to prevent these diseases, especially if you travel, work, or live in areas with an increased risk of viral hemorrhagic fevers. However, it is advised to wear gloves, gowns, eye masks, and face shields, especially if you work in construction or a laboratory.
Vaccination
There is a vaccine for yellow fever that is safe and works quite well. However, it cannot be given to infants younger than 9 months of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. In addition, a vaccine for ebola also is available. For more details, you should visit a healthcare professional.
Mosquitoes and Ticks
It is recommended to stay away from ticks and mosquitoes when traveling to regions with an increased risk of viral hemorrhagic fevers. To prevent bites, you may consider wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Another option to prevent bites from these insects is to wear clothes coated with Permethrin.
Stay inside at dusk and dawn because during these times mosquitoes are most active. You can also put a repellent with a 20% to 25% concentration of DEET on the clothes and skin.
Protection against Rodents
- It is advised to store food as well as store trash in rodent-proof containers
- Frequently discard garbage
- You should make sure that windows and doors are tightly closed
- It is recommended to store construction materials (such as stacks of bricks, woodpiles, and others) at least 100 feet from the house
Diagnosis
If you suspect you have viral hemorrhagic fever symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider. In most cases, people are directed to the emergency room. However, make sure that the emergency room knows about your condition before you go. Usually, it is difficult to diagnose this condition in the first days because the primary symptoms of these conditions are very similar to other diseases.
Physicians will perform a physical examination to check for symptoms linked with viral hemorrhagic fevers and ask some questions about your symptoms. In addition, inform your doctor about the last countries you visited.
Sometimes, laboratory tests (such as blood tests) are required to confirm the condition.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there are no treatments available for most viral hemorrhagic fevers besides supportive care. However, some people need medicines, therapies, and other treatments.
Medicines
Healthcare providers may prescribe antiviral medicines (such as Ribavirin) for people with certain infections (including Lassa fever). In addition, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved monoclonal antibody therapies and Ebanga for ebola treatment.
Therapy
Supportive care may help while you fighting against infections. For example, receive IV fluids to prevent dehydration. It usually helps maintain electrolyte levels needed for nerves and muscles to work.
Other Treatments
Those who develop kidney failure need kidney dialysis to remove all toxins and wastes from the blood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes viral hemorrhagic fevers?
People usually get these infections by direct contact with infected animals or insects. The most common hosts include bats, nonhuman primates, mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks. Consult with your doctor about protective measures if you plan to travel in regions where these conditions are common.
What are the symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fevers?
Generally, people experience different symptoms because it depends on the disease type. Check below some symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Muscle aches
- Loss of strength
- Exhaustion
- Fever
If any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately contact your physician.
What are the possible viral hemorrhagic fevers?
Those who suffer from these infections may develop some complications, especially without treatment. These include:
- Bleeding
- Septic shock
- Organ failure (such as kidney failure)
- Coma
- Delirium
- Seizures
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
- Pulmonary edema
This article does not contain all possible viral hemorrhagic fever complications. For more details, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
