Haemorrhagic fever is a deadly and sometimes lethal disease that causes massive internal bleeding and damage of the inner layer of blood vessels, and can cause grave problems in many organs. Viral infections caused by various viruses are diagnosed as haemorrhagic fever, and the viruses are mainly transferred through vectors like mosquitoes, rodents, or ticks. According to Mayo Clinic, haemorrhagic fever causes internal bleeding; this disease is fatal at certain times.
Diseases That Cause Haemorrhagic Fever
Several viral infections lead to hemorrhagic fever. Among the most common of these is:
- Dengue Fever: This disease is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Dengue fever causes high fevers, together with muscle pain and a significant risk of hemorrhagic fever in more severe cases.
- Yellow Fever: Another mosquito-borne disease is yellow fever. Its most severe forms cause jaundice and liver failure. Like dengue, it will progress to hemorrhagic fever.
- Ebola Virus: Arguably, it is the most fatal, so far, haemorrhagic fever-causing agent known to man, and the Ebola virus is such a disease that has accounted for significant case fatality through extensive internal and external bleeding and failure of organs.
- Lassa Fever This fever is endemic in West Africa and it is acquired by contact with the virus that lives in rodents and even excretions of infected rodents. In severe cases, this has been known to cause hemorrhaging.
Another difference is that the Marburg virus, like the Ebola virus, can cause severe hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate.
How Does Haemorrhagic Fever Affect the Body?
It mainly attacks the body at the blood vessels, which then become more fragile and prone to rupture, besides weakening the vessel walls, thus leaking and leading to both internal and external bleeding. According to the Mayo Clinic, hemorrhagic fevers trigger symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, and in extreme instances lead to life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding and shock.
Symptoms of Haemorrhagic Fever
Depending on the virus, symptoms may be very different, although some common signs are as follows:
- High fever: Sometimes one of the first symptoms.
- Sharp ache in muscles and joints: Most common in dengue.
- Rash: Characterized by conditions such as Ebola and dengue.
- Bleeding: This can be through the nose, gums, and subcutaneous tissues. Internal bleeding may cause damage to organs inside the body.
- Shock: In the later stages, hypotension becomes present and the patient may even experience the organ failure.
Is Haemorrhagic Fever Fatal?
Yes, even hemorrhagic fever can be fatal unless immediate medical attention is provided. Ebola and Marburg virus are also lethal diseases that cause internal bleeding due to severe shock and multi-organ failure resulting in death. The Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also a very severe form of dengue fever leading to death if it is not properly treated.
Fatalities and Complications
This risk of death seems to be associated with the type of virus, speed of diagnosis, and availability of proper medical care. Patients with hemorrhagic fever may have complications such as:
- Severe internal bleeding
- Multi-organ failure
- Hypovolemic shock (extremely low blood pressure due to blood loss)
Prevention and Treatment of Haemorrhagic Fever
Prevention tends to revolve around avoiding contact with the vectors that transmit these viruses. Using mosquito repellents and nets in areas prone to dengue and yellow fever, for example can reduce infection. For certain viruses like yellow fever, vaccination exists, though no widespread vaccines exist for diseases like Ebola and dengue.
Treatment Options
While supportive in nature, treatment greatly improves the outcomes of viral haemorrhagic fevers. Some of the keys to treatment of these haemorrhagic fevers are as follows:
- Fluid replacement therapy: Fluid replacement therapy helps in replacing fluid to prevent shock and maintains blood pressure.
- Other drugs: There are several drugs that have been proved to be useful in particular settings, such as ribavirin for the treatment of Lassa fever.
- Oxygen therapy: Patient to be monitored for possible respiratory symptoms.
- Pain control: It lessens the occurrence of painful joint and muscular pain.
For Ebola, experimental drugs like monoclonal antibodies and antiviral medicines have been proved useful in reducing fatality rates when outbreaks occur.
Haemorrhagic fever is a fatal disease that, if not promptly diagnosed and treated, results in secondary complications. Such complications include dying from the internal hemorrhage, organ failure, and death. Prevention and treatment via vaccination and control over vectors coupled with continuous medical discoveries that aid in the treatment will help solve such diseases as well as reduce the death tolls.
FAQs About Haemorrhagic Fever
- What is haemorrhagic fever?
Haemorrhagic fever is a type of fever caused by viral infections that damage blood vessels and lead to internal bleeding.
2. What diseases cause haemorrhagic fever?
Diseases like dengue, yellow fever, Ebola, Marburg virus, and Lassa fever can cause haemorrhagic fever.
3. Can haemorrhagic fever be fatal?
Yes, without prompt treatment, haemorrhagic fever can cause death due to internal bleeding and organ failure.
4. What are the symptoms of haemorrhagic fever?
Symptoms include high fever, muscle pain, rash, bleeding, and in severe cases, organ failure and shock.
5. How is haemorrhagic fever treated?
Treatment is usually supportive, including fluid therapy, antiviral drugs, oxygen, and pain management.
6. Is there a vaccine for haemorrhagic fever?
Vaccines exist for some diseases like yellow fever, but not for all causes of haemorrhagic fever, such as Ebola or dengue.
7. How can haemorrhagic fever be prevented?
Preventive measures include vaccination (for yellow fever), using mosquito repellent, and avoiding contact with rodents in high-risk areas.
8. What is the mortality rate for haemorrhagic fever?
The mortality rate varies by virus. Diseases like Ebola and Marburg have high mortality rates, while dengue fever has a lower rate with proper treatment.
9. What causes internal bleeding in haemorrhagic fever?
The viruses that cause haemorrhagic fever attack and weaken the blood vessels, leading to internal bleeding.
10. Can haemorrhagic fever be cured?
There is no cure for viral haemorrhagic fever, but supportive treatment can manage symptoms and reduce the risk of fatality.