Hemorrhagic virus diseases
Hemorrhagic viral diseases are serious conditions where a person's circulatory system is damaged.
Examples of hemorrhagic viral diseases are:
Dengue fever
Marburg hemorrhagic fever
Yellow fever
Ebola
Crimean- Congo hemorrhagic fever
Lassa fever
Clinical Manifestation:
Weakness
High fever
Bleeding in internal organs
Bleeding under the skin
Body aches
Bleeding from the mouth or ears
Transmission:
Diseases like dengue and yellow fever are transmitted from a bite of infected insects, whereas diseases like Ebola are spread to a person when he comes in contact with the blood and body fluid of an infected person. Dried feces and urine of a rodent containing viruses cause Lassa fever when inhaled or consumed by someone unknowingly.
Treatment:
However, there is no exact regimen and cure for hemorrhagic viral diseases.
Keeping the body hydrated is very important for a person suffering from these infections, and sometimes IV (intravenous) fluids are recommended to a patient for maintaining fluid-electrolyte balance. In some cases, ribavarin, an antiviral drug, is prescribed.
Precautions:
People living or working in an area where these diseases are common can adopt the following preventions to decrease the risk:
Always wear protective clothing and use insect repellent. Try not to get bitten by insects such as ticks and mosquitoes
Protect yourself from viral infection while being in contact with an infected person by wearing proper protection like a face shield, gloves, and glasses.
Keep food covered, dispose garbage regularly, and keep doors and windows secure to prevent rodent infestation.
Researchers are continuously working to develop vaccines for various hemorrhagic viruses. Recently, the vaccine for yellow fever has been provided to people moving or visiting areas where this disease is common.