By ULY CLINIC

Viral Haemorrhaghic Fevers

Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) is a general term for a severe illness caused by viruses and sometimes associated with bleeding.

Ebola and Marburg Haemorrhagic Fevers Primary transmission is from animal to human, through contact with an infected animal or its product.

Secondary transmission is from person to person through:

Contact with a sick person or direct contact with the blood and/or secretions or with objects, such as needles that have been contaminated with infected secretions of an infected person.
Breast feeding
Sexual contact

The disease can spread rapidly within the health care setting. The virus enters through broken skin, mucous membrane or exchange of bodily fluids or ingestion, inhalation and injection of infectious material

Diagnostic Criteria

High grade fever and one or more of the following:

Headache, body ache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea
Unexplained haemorrhage may be present or not

Investigations

Blood for RT-PCR
Antigen detection or IgM (ELISA)

Note:

Do not take specimen before wearing appropriate PPE and ensuring the patient is in an isolation ward/centre

Non-Pharmacological Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for Ebola and Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever.

Supportive therapy includes:

Mechanical ventilation, renal dialysis, and anti-seizure therapy may be required.
Management of complications symptomatically
Maintaining Oxygen status and Blood Pressure

Pharmacological Treatment

Paracetamol 15mg/kg 8 hourly for 3 days

Treat for any complicating infection and co-morbid condition

Give oxygen and manage hypoglycaemia if present

Fluid and electrolyte balance

Sodium Lactate Compund (Ringers Lactate), NS intravenously if cannot take fluids orally

Psychological support is given to patient and family

Updated on, 28.10.2020

References

1. STG page number 10-12

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