VHFs Flashcards

1
Q

what is viral haemorrhagic fever

A

Group of viral infections whose presentation is characterised
by the presence of
* Fever
* Rash and
* Bleeding

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2
Q

outline the epidemiology of VHFs

A

VHFs viruses belong to 4 viral families
-All are enveloped, ssRNA
-Zoonotic viruses
* Humans are not the natural reservoir
* Animals or arthropod vector are reservoir
-Distribution is restricted to reservoir host
* Occasional spill-over do occur outside known natural
environment
-They have a similar mechanism of pathogenesis
Have a high morbidity & mortality

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3
Q

how is VHF transmitted?

A

Humans are accidentally infected
* Vector mosquito or tick bites a human
* During care for or slaughter the animals
e.g Rift valley fever
* When a human crushes an infected tick
with a hand or fingers e.g CCHF
* Contact with bodily fluid of an infected
rodent i.e urine, faecal material or saliva
e.g Lassa, Lujo
* Person-to-person transmission e.g
Ebola, Marburg, CCHF, Lassa
* Nosocomial transmission

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4
Q

what is the incubation period?

A

3-8 days in index cases & slightly longer in secondary cases
~21days

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5
Q

what are the signs and symptoms associated with VHFs?

A

Early: Non-specific Influenza-like illness (ILI) i.e fever, headache,
fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches
* Vomiting & diarrhoea are frequent, incl abdominal pain

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6
Q

severe illness?

A
  • multi system syndrome multiple organ systems are affected
  • Coagulation defects, vasodilation & increased vascular
    permeability leads to
  • Conjunctival injection with petechial haemorrhage, bleeding
    under the skin, in internal organs, or from body orifices
  • Oedema, hypotension and shock
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7
Q

what are the diagnostic tests?

A
  • routine bloods: FBC, LFT
    -specific testing: serogical, molecular and virus isolation
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8
Q

what is the treament of VHFs?

A
  • VHF patients are managed under strict infection prevention
    and control protocols
  • Isolation
  • PPE
  • Limited to experience & trained staff
    -Treatment is mostly supportive (no specific treatment is not
    available)
    -Ribavirin is suggested for treatment of Bunya & Arena
    viruses
    -Treatment with convalescent-phase plasma has been used to
    treat Ebola virus patients
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