What is Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever?
What do you know about Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever? Viral hemolargic fever (VHF) is a disease caused by viruses belonging to several distinct phyla. The effect of this disease is to create blood clots and damage the walls of the vessels, which will result in internal bleeding. This internal bleeding can be life threatening. Viral hemolargic fevers often occur in tropical regions of the world. In this article from the section diseasesHello Dr. Salam.
The most common types of viral hemolargic fever are:
- Ebola virus
- dengue fever
- Marburg virus
- Lhasa
- Yellow fever
Viral hemorrhagic fever is mostly limited to a specific geographical area. However, when a sick person accidentally transfers the virus to another area, the disease will spread in that area as well. If humans are in contact with animals infected with this disease or are in a house full of insects, it is possible to get viral hemorrhagic fever.
What are the causes of Crimean-Congo viral hemorrhagic fever?
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a type of zoonotic disease (transmissible from animals and insects to humans) that spreads mainly due to contact with infected animals and insects. This disease is caused by viruses belonging to four groups. These four virus families are:
- Arenaviruses: Jipen, Machupa and Lassa fever virus
- Buniaviruses: Crimean-Congo, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and foot-and-mouth disease (RVF).
- Filoviruses: Marburg virus and Ebola virus
- Flaviviruses: dengue fever and yellow fever
The ability to survive and get rid of these viruses depends on the condition of the patient’s body (virus host). Hemallergic viruses are transmitted from animals to humans. This happens when a person comes in contact with saliva, urine or any other liquid from the body of an infected animal.
Viruses can also spread from person to person, provided that a healthy person is exposed to close contact with the body fluids of an infected person. Also, the infectious agent may be transmitted by an infected bite (contaminated with the agent or organisms that spread the disease).
Symptoms of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
The main signs and symptoms of Crimean Congo virus hemorrhagic fever are:
1) Fever
2) Muscle pain
3) headache
4) Fatigue
5) Vomiting
6) diarrhea
7) Swelling
8) Dizziness
9) Unusual weakness
10) Joint pain
11) Decrease in blood pressure (hypotension)
The signs and symptoms of severe viral infection are as follows:
1) Respiratory fever
2) sepsis (blood poisoning)
3) Kidney problems
4) Nervous system disorder
5) To show off
6) Liver failure
7) seizures
risk factors
People who are most at risk of contracting Crimean-Congo viral hemorrhagic fever include:
1) People who are travelers to places where VHF is common.
2) People who deal with slaughtering and killing animals infected with disease.
3) People who engage in unprotected sex are at the highest risk of contracting Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
4) People who work in unsanitary conditions are susceptible to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
5) People who are in contact with body fluids or secretions of an infected person are at risk of infection.
6) People working in a laboratory that tests samples infected with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever will be at high risk of contracting this disease.
7) People who work in rat-infested houses will be at risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Complications
Crimean-Congo viral hemorrhagic fever can develop rapidly and cause many complications. Also, in some cases, not treating this disease may lead to the death of the patient. Some common complications of VHR include:
1) Hepatitis
2) inflammation of the spinal cord
3) Uveitis
4) Abortion
5) Arthritis
6) Nervous problems
7) Kidney failure
In addition to the above complications, viral hemorrhagic fever can damage organs such as the heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys.
Diagnosis of hemorrhagic fever
In most cases, it is difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stages. Early signs and symptoms of VHF, such as high fever and fatigue and muscle pain, can be due to other diseases.
To diagnose the disease, the doctor will perform a routine physical examination and review the patient’s medical history. The doctor will look for an explanation of the symptoms and the places he has recently examined to check the possibility of infection. In order to diagnose Crimean-Congo viral hemorrhagic fever, the following test will be prescribed.
Blood test: A sample of blood is taken and tested to determine the infection. Since this disease is very contagious, this test must be done under very strict and precise conditions.
treatment
There is no specific treatment or cure for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. However, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs such as ribavirin to prevent further complications.
home treatment:
1) Dissolve a teaspoon of turmeric in a cup of warm milk and consume it once a day. Turmeric helps to treat gastrointestinal disorders and joint pains caused by infection.
2) The ingredients in green tea have many antiviral properties that help increase the response of the body’s immune system.
3) Ginger helps to accelerate recovery and facilitate the treatment of respiratory problems. It is useful for the digestive system that has problems caused by infection.
4) Wetting a cloth or sponge and placing it on the forehead lowers the fever caused by the infection.
5) Drink plenty of water to maintain electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration.
Prevention of viral hemorrhagic fever
Some of the measures that are effective to prevent this disease are given below.
1) Staying away from places where the disease is prevalent
2) Avoiding close contact with a person infected with the virus
3) Keeping the surrounding areas clean and sanitary
4) Using insect barriers such as mosquito nets and window nets
5) Staying away from the nests of animals and insects, especially when the disease has spread
6) Using mosquito repellent ointments, especially at dawn and sunset
7) Disposing of waste and not keeping it for a long time
Some frequently asked questions:
1) How can someone diagnose Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever?
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are usually characterized by high fever, muscle pain and severe headache. Also, people with viral infection experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you notice any of the above symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
2) What factors should be considered when caring for a person with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever?
The following measures are helpful to prevent infection:
* Make sure that the infected person covers his nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.
*Cleaning the house regularly with an antiseptic to prevent the spread of germs.
*Using disposable covers instead of cloth napkins, to be discarded immediately after use and to reduce the spread of infection.