Signs of Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Lassa)

Description

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

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

Standard Workup

CBC
Chem 12
Lipase
Troponin
UA
X-Ray
EKG

Treatment

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