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. It may also be passed from one person to another. ‚
The doctor will treat your signs and may include drugs. Care must be given right away to avoid serious problems. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor. Be sure to take them on time. Take the whole course of your drugs.
- Drink water from a clean source. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day. This will help prevent fluid loss.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Very bad bleeding and weakness
- Seizures
- Confusion and seeing things that are not there
- Liver or kidney failure
- Trouble breathing
- Muscle problems
- Eye problems
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.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Bleeding from gums and nose
- Black tarry stools or throwing up blood
- Trouble breathing
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, upset stomach, trouble breathing, or unusual bleeding.
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/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/viral-hemorrhagic-fevers.htm ‚
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. ‚