Hemorrhagic Fevers

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.

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What are hemorrhagic fevers? (HFs)

HFs are illnesses that are caused by groups of viruses. HFs are also called viral hemorrhagic fevers. HFs include the Ebola and Marburg viruses, yellow fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. The viruses are commonly found in rats, mice, and other field rodents. The viruses can also be found in carriers such as mosquitoes and ticks. The viruses leading to HFs can be found anywhere in the world where these animals and carriers live. HFs may cause mild illness, but they may also cause life-threatening illness.

How are HFs spread?

• Person to person contact occurs if you get an HF from another person who is infected with the virus. This can occur if you have close contact with an infected person's body fluids. You can also be infected if you touch an object with an infected person's body fluids on it.
• Infected animals may spread the virus if you touch the animal or its urine, feces (bowel movements), or other body fluids. You can also get an HF if you eat the meat of an infected animal.
• Carriers such as mosquitos or ticks can spread an HF virus by biting you. You can also get the virus by smashing a carrier against your skin.
• Lab accidents can cause the virus to spread. People who work in a lab handle blood and other body fluids often. If a lab accident occurs with an infected person's body fluids, the lab worker may become infected.

What are the signs and symptoms of HFs?

Your symptoms may begin a couple days to a week or more after you have been infected.

• Common signs and symptoms:
  • Fever or shaking chills
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or loss of appetite
  • Headache or dizziness
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Pain behind your eyes, or swollen, red eyes
  • Sore throat with or without white or yellow spots on your tonsils
  • Fatigue and weakness
• More serious signs and symptoms:
  • Bleeding from a body opening, such as your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or rectum
  • Bleeding gums or signs of bleeding under your skin, such as bruises or red or purple dots
  • Chest pain or trouble breathing
  • Confusion, shaking, or seizures
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
  • Urinating very little or not at all

How are HFs diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider may ask if you have traveled to another country recently. Tell your provider if you were bitten by any insects or were in contact with any rodents or rodent nests. Your provider may ask if you have been in contact with someone who has an HF. A complete physical exam and check for signs of bleeding will be done. You may also need any of the following:

• Blood and urine tests may show signs of infection or the cause of infection.
• A throat swab may help show which type of virus is causing your illness.
• An ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a monitor. Your provider may look for signs of organ damage and areas of fluid collection caused by an HF.

How are HFs treated?

There are no treatments that cure HFs. The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms and help your body fight the HF. You may need any of the following:

• Antiviral medicine may be given to fight the virus causing your HF.
• IV fluid replacement may be needed if you lose too much body fluid. You will receive liquids through a tube that is placed in your vein.
• Hemodialysis cleans your blood when your kidneys cannot. Extra water, chemicals, and waste products are removed from your blood by a dialyzer or dialysis machine. The dialysis machine does this by passing your blood through a filter, then returning it back to you. You may need dialysis if your HF caused your kidneys to stop working.
• Isolation may be needed because you have an infection that can spread to others. You may need reverse isolation if your body is having trouble with fighting the infection. This is a private hospital room to protect you from other people's germs. Healthcare providers and visitors may need to wear gloves, a face mask, or a gown. Everyone must wash their hands when they enter and leave your room.
• Plasma transfusion may be needed if your HF causes you to bleed. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. You will get the transfusion through an IV. The risk for AIDS, hepatitis, or West Nile virus from a blood transfusion is rare. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you have any concerns.

How can I decrease my risk for an HF?

• Avoid contact with infected animals and insects. Examples are mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents. Protect yourself from insect bites by wearing protective clothing, insect repellant, and using bed nets. Make sure your windows have screens to keep insects out. Wear protective gloves if you are in contact with rodent droppings (urine or feces) or rodent nests.
• Avoid contact with an infected person. Also avoid close contact with the person's body fluids. If you are caring for someone with an HF, wear protective clothing. You will need to clean all objects used to care for the infected person as directed by a healthcare provider.
• Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated against yellow fever if you will be traveling to areas where mosquitoes carry yellow fever. The yellow fever vaccine does not protect you for your entire life. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about vaccines against HFs.
• Use caution when you travel. Avoid traveling to areas where there is a high number of HF infections.

What should I do if I have an HF?

If you are diagnosed with an HF, give your healthcare provider a list of all your close contacts. This includes family, friends, and coworkers. Any person you have had contact with will need to be seen by a healthcare provider. Each person should be checked for signs and symptoms of an HF. If you are a woman, tell your healthcare provider if you are currently breastfeeding your child. You may need to stop breastfeeding while you have an HF. You may pass the HF infection to your child through your breast milk.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
• You feel very confused, shaky, and tired, or you have a seizure.

When should I seek immediate care?

• You are unable to urinate, or you urinate more or less than usual for you.
• You have new or increased bleeding from your ears, nose, mouth, eyes, or rectum.
• You have new or increased blood in your vomit, urine, or bowel movements.
• You have new or increased bruising or red or purple dots on your skin.
• Your heart is beating faster than is normal for you.
• Your skin is cold and you feel very restless.
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your abdomen is swollen and hard.

When should I call my doctor?

• You feel dizzy and weak, or you have fainted.
• You have a fever that is not getting better or gets higher, and shaking chills.
• You have a severe headache.
• You have blisters or yellow or white spots in your throat.
• You have new or increased abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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