Hemorrhagic fever is a very dangerous disease for humans, which mostly occurs in subtropical to tropical areas. Nevertheless, even in Germany one is not protected from the disease, against which there are extremely few treatment methods.
What is hemorrhagic fever?
Hemorrhagic fever is an infectious febrile illness caused by viruses. Therefore, it is often referred to as viral hemorrhagic fever, or VHF for short. However, hemorrhagic fever is only the generic term, as there are many different types of the disease. Accordingly, there are also specific treatments and vaccinations for each infection. If someone is infected with a form of hemorrhagic fever, they are more prone to bleeding. In Germany, infection with this form of fever is extremely rare. However, it can happen that travelers become infected with hemorrhagic fever during their stay abroad and thus bring the disease with them to Germany. For these cases, however, there are special isolation wards in several German hospitals.
Causes
The causes of hemorrhagic fever are special viruses that can be found in larger numbers, especially in tropical and subtropical regions such as Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Since there are different types of viruses, the occurrence of a particular type also varies from region to region. Generally, the pathogens are also fondly referred to as zoonotic diseases, as they mainly originate from monkeys, domestic animals and rodents and are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and ticks. However, specific types of hemorrhagic fever are also transmitted through contact between two people. This occurs, for example, through blood contact, bodily excretions or even droplet infection. It usually takes up to a week for hemorrhagic fever to become noticeable and break out.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Hemorrhagic fever is often manifested by severe fever, bleeding, and kidney dysfunction. Muscle pain and aching limbs also present in the first few days after infection, often accompanied by cramps and paralysis. Some patients experience blood in the urine or stool. Depending on the type of febrile illness, other symptoms and complaints may occur. For example, in the classic form of hemorrhagic fever, there may be increasing fatigue. Patients feel extremely tired and can hardly get out of bed. When getting up, there is palpitations, dizziness and heavy sweating. In severe cases, rapid movements can lead to impaired consciousness and even circulatory shock. One of the main symptoms of the disease is edema. These can form all over the body and usually cause severe pain. In addition, there is an increased risk of bleeding, infection and the formation of scars. If hemorrhagic fever is not adequately treated, deficiency symptoms may occur. The fever usually occurs relatively suddenly and may persist for one to two weeks before slowly subsiding. The symptoms mentioned above may occur with varying intensity during this period.
Diagnosis and course
Hemorrhagic fever is often manifested by high fever, renal dysfunction, or edema. The latter are also referred to as tissue oedema. Internal bleeding, tissue hemorrhage in the form of bruising, and bleeding in stool and urine occur in many infections. However, these are only a handful of symptoms of the various types of febrile illness. However, depending on the type, the occurrence of symptoms varies. Therefore, hemorrhagic fever disease is extremely difficult to detect. For a definite diagnosis, a so-called virological diagnosis is required. However, this often proves to be very difficult, as handling the pathogens demands a high level of safety. Thus, not every German clinic is able to perform such an examination.
Complications
There are usually very few options for treatment against this fever. For this reason, the fever is dangerous for humans and can also lead to the death of the patient in the worst case. The symptoms are very similar to a common fever. An increased temperature occurs and the affected person feels sick and tired.In most cases, there are also common aches and pains in the limbs and muscles, so that the movement of the affected person is limited by the disease. Furthermore, bloody urine and bowel movements also occur, which leads to a panic attack in many people. Similarly, paralysis and cramps may occur in various parts of the body, reducing the quality of life. Treatment of fever does not lead to complications if this is done early. Medications are used in this process. Complications can occur when treatment is late and irreversible damage has already occurred. Furthermore, the affected person can also be vaccinated against certain fever diseases in order to prevent them. Life expectancy is reduced only if treatment is given too late.
When should one go to the doctor?
Individuals who become ill with fever after traveling to a tropical or subtropical country should consult their primary care physician immediately. Symptoms such as severe fever, lassitude, and muscle or limb pain indicate infection with zoonotic diseases, which must be clarified and treated immediately. At the latest when further warning signs such as bleeding, cramps or blood in the urine and stool are noticed, medical advice is required. Symptoms must be investigated if they occur quite suddenly and increase in intensity within a few hours to days. In case of severe physical malaise, the affected person is best taken to a hospital. In the event of circulatory shock or signs of paralysis, the ambulance service should be called. Accompanying first aid measures may have to be administered. The patient must then spend several days in the hospital, where the hemorrhagic fever is diagnosed and treated. Further visits to the doctor are required if there is suspicion that the virus has spread or if side effects or interactions occur during follow-up using medications.
Treatment and therapy
For most types of hemorrhagic fever, there are few treatments based on the use of medications. However, for numerous types, the use of the antiviral drug ribavirin is recommended. However, this does not provide a hundred percent cure of the infection, but merely achieves that the pathogens do not multiply further. There are even vaccines against some types of hemorrhagic fever, such as yellow fever. There is also a vaccine against the Argentine form of the fever infection, the so-called Junin virus. However, the use of this vaccine is currently extremely controversial in all countries of the world, except Argentina itself, and is therefore not used there. Other vaccines are still being developed and tested on animals. This is already taking too long for many people, as hemorrhagic fever is very dangerous. Infection with one of the types of this disease can even be life-threatening. If an infected person has a form of hemorrhagic fever that can be transmitted from person to person, isolation or even quarantine in a specially equipped clinic is a top priority. In addition, hemorrhagic fever must be reported immediately in any case, according to the Infection Protection Act.
Prevention
There are few vaccines against hemorrhagic fever. Therefore, it is very important to take some precautions for prevention yourself. Insect repellent is extremely useful in this regard. This prevents mosquitoes from transmitting the infection to humans. In addition, the most important basic hygienic rules should be observed in any case, in order to adequately protect against infection with hemorrhagic fever.
Follow-up
Follow-up care after treatment or survived hemorrhagic fever depends on the type of sequelae and symptoms. For example, in almost all cases, a long period of observation in the hospital is necessary, even after the most severe symptoms have resolved. The patients, who are then very weakened, are sometimes fed artificially or with a sparing diet. Nutrition through the administration of infusions may also be the better option. If the kidneys are also severely damaged, dialysis may be necessary. In most cases, patients remain in quarantine until it is certain that the viral pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever is no longer detectable. Overall, follow-up care for hemorrhagic fever is usually characterized by a long period of bed rest.The weakened body of the affected person is also gradually rebuilt. Stress and nutrition must be gradually reintroduced. Loss of blood and fluids must continue to be compensated for even after treatment. Sufferers must also be examined after surviving the bleeding and fever to detect any organ or brain damage. Some sufferers, on the other hand, recover quickly and no follow-up examinations or measures are necessary. However, this is the exception.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Those suffering from hemorrhagic fever can resort to various medications. However, conservative therapy does not promise a sure cure, which is why self-help measures should always be used to treat the infectious disease. Initially, the classic fever remedies such as rest and bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and cooling compresses are helpful. A gentle diet and regular home visits by the doctor are also essential to recover quickly and avoid complications. Since hemorrhagic fever is significantly more dangerous than normal flu fever, the patient must be constantly monitored. If serious complications develop, such as cramps, paralysis or circulatory shock, it is best to call the emergency services. Relatives can support the sick person during his hospital stay and prepare what is necessary at home for the time after treatment. In addition, it should be ensured that the infectious disease is reported, because hemorrhagic fever is reportable. People who have had close contact with the infected person should have themselves tested to be on the safe side. The responsible physician can answer what other measures can be taken to promote recovery.