About this topic
Hemorrhagic fever is caused by a virus. It affects your bloods ability to clot naturally. It also harms the wall of your blood vessels, causing them to leak. The virus is passed to humans from rats. Mice and rats shed the germs in their urine, droppings, or saliva. It is also in their nests. People come in contact with these germs when they breathe in tiny droplets of water in the air that has the virus in it. This can happen if there are fresh droppings nearby. Some people are infected if they are bitten by a rat that carries the virus. Others may get sick if they eat food that has been contaminated by mouse or rat droppings. The virus may also be passed from one person to another. ‚
What are the causes?
People may become infected with this virus from: ‚
- An open place on your skin that comes in contact with urine or feces from an infected rat
- Drinking and eating water or food that has come in contact with urine or feces from an infected rat
- Coming in contact with a person who is infected with this virus
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Open wound or cut
- Eating and drinking infected food or water
- Wading in flood waters
- Living in areas where the viruses are common
- Working in a lab with rats
What are the main signs?
- High fever
- Body or muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Chills
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Very bad infection:
- Rash
- Bleeding gums and nose
- Black tarry stool
- Throwing up blood
- Confusion and seeing things that are not there
- Seizure
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor may feel your armpits, neck, or belly for lumps or any enlarged organs. Your doctor may ask if you have any bleeding. Your doctor may order blood tests. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
The doctor will treat your signs and may include drugs. 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
- Mineral supplements ¢ ˆ ’ To help nerves and muscles work
- Dialysis ¢ ˆ ’ If kidneys fail
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid any contact with the urine or any body fluid of a rat, especially if you have open wounds or cuts.
- When camping or hiking:
- Make sure that your drinking water is clean.
- Use ground pads and covers when sleeping on camping grounds.
- Put tents in areas where there are no rodent droppings.
- Wear protective footwear or boots when you are going to walk through flood waters, muddy areas, or soil where there could be rat urine or feces.
- Avoid swimming in dirty water or mud puddles.
- At home:
- Seal up holes and gaps in your home or garage.
- Set up traps in and around your home to lessen rodent infestation.
- Call a pest control center if you have rats or mice in your house.
- Store grains and other food in rat-proof containers.
- Throw away trash often. Keep waste away from your house.
- Keep cats as pets to drive away rats.
- Wash contaminated hard surfaces with bleach or disinfectant mixture.
- When cleaning an unused cabin, shed, or other building:
- Open all the doors and windows for 30 minutes before you start.
- Go back in and spray surfaces, carpet, nests, and other areas with a disinfectant. Let this sit for 30 minutes. Then, start cleaning. Be sure to wear rubber gloves.
- Wear face masks when cleaning mouse nests and droppings.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/Fact_Sheets/Arenavirus_Fact_Sheet.pdf ‚
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/viral-hemorrhagic-fevers ‚
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚