Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are serious infectious diseases. They can threaten lives by damaging small blood vessel walls and preventing blood clotting. Several important types include:
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
- Dengue fever
- Ebola virus disease
- Hantavirus infection
- Lassa fever
- Marburg virus disease
- Yellow fever
These illnesses mainly occur in tropical regions, particularly Central Africa. In the United States, cases typically involve people who have traveled to affected areas.
Medical science has developed vaccines and treatments for only a few types of these diseases. Until more protective measures become available, prevention remains the best approach.
Taking proper precautions when traveling to regions where these viruses circulate is essential for staying healthy.
Signs and Symptoms
Viral hemorrhagic fevers cause various symptoms that differ by specific disease. Early signs typically include:
- Fever
- Fatigue and weakness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Dangerous Warning Signs
Some symptoms can become serious and need immediate medical care:
- Bleeding (under skin, inside body, or from mouth, eyes, ears)
- Brain and nervous system problems
- Confusion or delirium
- Loss of consciousness
- Organ failure affecting:
- Kidneys
- Lungs (breathing difficulties)
- Liver
These severe symptoms can develop quickly and may become life-threatening without proper treatment.
Medical Care Guidelines
Visit a healthcare provider before traveling to regions where these diseases occur. This allows time for vaccines and protective advice.
If you develop symptoms after returning from travel, seek medical help promptly. Try to see a doctor who specializes in:
- International medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Travel medicine
Always tell your doctor where you’ve traveled recently, as this information is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Causes
Viral hemorrhagic fevers spread through contact with infected animals. These viruses live in various animal hosts, including:
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks
- Rodents
- Bats
- Nonhuman primates
Some viral hemorrhagic fevers spread through mosquito or tick bites. Others transmit through contact with infected bodily fluids like blood, saliva, or semen. You can catch certain types by breathing in particles from infected rat waste.
Person-to-person transmission occurs with some viral hemorrhagic fevers. This happens through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals.
If you visit an area where these diseases are common, you might not show symptoms until after returning home.
The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, depending on the specific virus. During this time, the virus develops in your body before causing noticeable symptoms.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chance of getting a viral hemorrhagic fever:
- Living in or traveling to regions where these viruses are common
- Working with infected individuals
- Consuming or handling infected animals
- Having unprotected sexual contact with infected people
- Spending time in environments with rats
- Coming into contact with infected blood or bodily fluids
These risks are especially important for healthcare workers, travelers, and people who work outdoors in affected areas.
Complications
Viral hemorrhagic fevers can lead to several serious health problems. These include:
- Septic shock
- Multiple organ failure
- Death
These complications occur when the infection becomes severe and the body cannot fight it effectively. The virus spreads through the bloodstream, damaging blood vessels and organs.
Ways to Prevent Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Get Your Vaccines
Vaccines can help protect against some viral hemorrhagic fevers. The yellow fever vaccine works well for most people, though rarely it may cause serious side effects.
This vaccine isn’t suitable for children under 9 months, pregnant individuals, or people with weakened immune systems.
An Ebola vaccine exists for healthcare workers in outbreak areas. It protects against one type of Ebola virus. Before traveling internationally, check vaccination requirements with health authorities. Some countries require proof of vaccination before entry.
Protect Yourself from Insects
When traveling in areas with viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, take steps to avoid mosquito and tick bites:
- Wear light-colored clothing that covers your arms and legs
- Consider permethrin-treated clothing (never apply directly to skin)
- Stay indoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Use insect repellent with 20-25% DEET on both skin and clothes
- Sleep under bed nets and use mosquito coils if staying in tents or hotels
These simple steps can significantly reduce your risk of insect-borne infections.
Keep Rodents Away
Rodents can spread some viral hemorrhagic fevers. If you live in or visit areas with known outbreaks, follow these tips to keep rodents out of your home:
| Rodent Prevention Tips | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Store pet food in sealed containers | Prevents attracting rodents |
| Use rodent-proof trash containers and clean them often | Eliminates food sources |
| Remove garbage regularly | Reduces nesting materials |
| Ensure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens | Blocks entry points |
| Keep woodpiles and building materials at least 100 feet from your house | Reduces hiding places |
| Maintain short grass and trim brush within 100 feet of your home | Eliminates cover for rodents |
Following these prevention methods can help protect you and your family from these serious viral diseases.
