Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa)

About Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa)

The Ebola and Lassa viruses are 2 of 18 viruses known to cause viral hemorrhagic fever. The disorder involves an overall damage to the vascular system manifested by bleeding and multi-organ dysfunction. The virus is not present in the U.S. but can be acquired by traveling to sub-Sahara Africa. The disease is frequently fatal. The disease can be acquired by handling infected fecal matter of infected rodents.

Symptoms

Headache, fever, swollen eyes, abdominal pain, bloody stools, vomiting blood, nose bleeding, diarrhea.

Tests & Diagnostics

A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional tests will be done to establish the diagnosis and determine the severity of infection.

Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), EKG, Lipase, Troponin, Urinalysis (UA), X-ray.

Conventional treatment summary

There is no cure for the disease. The damage done by the virus is aggressively treated and medications may include: intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, mechanical ventilation if respiratory failure occurs, and/or antibiotics for super imposed infections. The disease is not universally fatal, but full recovery can take months.

Medical specialties

Infectious Disease Medicine · Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa).