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Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever


About this topic


Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is also called CCHF. Germs cause this illness. The germs are found in many kinds of animals like cattle, sheep, goats, large rabbits, and dogs. You can get this infection if you touch blood from an animal with the infection. Tick bites can also spread this germ. You may spread the germs from person to person. This happens when you touch the blood or body fluids of someone with the infection. ‚  


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What are the causes?


  • Caused by Nairovirus
  • Spread by animal and tick bites

Infection may be spread by: ‚  
  • Having an open sore or broken skin that comes in contact with infected blood or other tissues
  • Drinking milk that comes from an infected animal and that has not been treated with heat
  • Crushing an infected tick on your skin
  • Passing the infection to your baby
  • Blood transfusion or other surgical procedures
  • Sharing needles used to inject drugs

What can make this more likely to happen?


You may be more at risk for this infection if you work on a farm or in a slaughterhouse. Veterinarians are also at a higher risk. So are people who work with cleaning medical supplies used on infected animals and people. Some conditions may raise your risk for this illness. Your risk may be higher if you have a poor immune system or are pregnant. Having diabetes, cancer, or AIDS makes you more likely to have this illness. It is more common in the very young and the very old. Living or traveling to certain parts of the world may raise your risk. This includes Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean areas. ‚  

What are the main signs?


  • Sudden onset illness
  • Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher and chills
  • Pain in your belly, back, muscles, or joints
  • Headache
  • Throwing up
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Bleeding ¢ ˆ ’ under your skin, nosebleeds, or from puncture sites
  • Flushed face
  • Red throat
  • Mood changes

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor may: ‚  
  • Look for skin lesions and rashes
  • Look for neck injury
  • Check pressure in your eyes
  • Check your legs and knees for pain and spasms
  • Feel and look for swelling of the nerves
  • Check your mental ability
  • Feel your belly to check for enlarged organs

The doctor may order: ‚  
  • Blood tests
  • MRI or CT scan
  • Lumbar puncture or spinal tap

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


The doctor will treat your signs and may order drugs. Recovery is slow. Care must be given right away to avoid serious problems. You may need care like: ‚  
  • Blood transfusion ¢ ˆ ’ To replace lost blood
  • Oxygen therapy ¢ ˆ ’ If you have trouble breathing
  • IV fluids ¢ ˆ ’ To replace lost fluids
  • Dialysis ¢ ˆ ’ If kidneys fail

What lifestyle changes are needed?


  • Practice good hygiene and proper hand washing.
  • Wear protective clothing and gloves when working with animals.
  • Maintain clean sanitation at home. Get rid of tick-breeding sites. Clear your area from weeds and tall grasses where ticks can rest and hide.
  • Always carry and use insect repellents when outdoors.
  • Make sure you treat your pets for fleas and ticks.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Fight an infection
  • Lower fever
  • Keep your fluids up
  • Ease headache
  • Help with muscle and joint pain

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Avoid eating or drinking unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
  • Avoid contact with animal blood, stools, or urine.
  • If you have a skin wound, protect it with a waterproof bandage.
  • If you work with animals:
    • Get tested often. Also, test the animals for CCHF.
    • Make sure that you throw away animal birth products, stool, or other wastes the right way.
    • Follow proper ways to bag, disinfect, and wash work clothes and tools that touch animals.
  • If you see a tick on your skin, remove the tick right away. Use tweezers and carefully remove the tick. Save the tick in alcohol. Do not squeeze it.
  • Protect yourself from ticks.
    • Wear long pants and shirts or jackets with long sleeves.
    • Tuck pants into socks or boots.
    • Use an insect repellent when going outside.
  • Protect your pets from ticks by using anti-tick drugs or shampoos.
  • Spray insect repellent to get rid of ticks around your home.

Where can I learn more?


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/crimean-congo/ ‚  
World Health Organization ‚  
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs208/en/ ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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