In modern life, some unknown diseases are quietly threatening our health. Epidemic haemorrhagic fever (EHF), a strange-sounding disease, can cause serious health hazards without us even noticing.
What is epidemic hemorrhagic fever?
Epidemic hemorrhagic fever, also known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), is an acute infectious disease caused by hantavirus. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, hemorrhage, renal impairment, and can be fatal in severe cases.
Causes of epidemic haemorrhagic fevers
Epidemic haemorrhagic fever is mainly caused by hantavirus, which is found in the urine, feces and saliva of rodents, such as rodents. Humans are usually infected by:
1. Inhalation route: Inhalation of the virus by exposure to air contaminated with rodent excreta.
2. Mode of contact: direct contact of the skin or mucous membranes with contaminated objects or surfaces.
3. Food routes: Eating food contaminated with the virus.
In some endemic areas, especially in autumn and winter, the risk of hantavirus transmission increases significantly.
Symptoms of epidemic hemorrhagic fever
The incubation period for epidemic haemorrhagic fever is usually 2 to 4 weeks, and symptoms vary from person to person, but are generally divided into five stages:
- Febrile period (3-7 days)
- High fever: A sudden rise in body temperature above 39°C.
- Headache: severe headache, orbital pain.
- General malaise: fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting.
- Facial congestion: Flushing of the face and neck that resembles "mask-like" redness.
- Hypotensive phase (from a few hours to a few days)
- Drop in blood pressure: blood pressure is markedly lower, and symptoms of shock may occur.
- Rapid heartbeat: Increased heart rate, which may be accompanied by sweating, cold hands and feet.
- Oliguric phase (3-7 days)
- Decreased urine output: there is a significant decrease in daily urine output, and renal insufficiency may occur.
- Bleeding tendency: bleeding spots or ecchymosis on the skin and mucous membranes, and in severe cases, visceral bleeding.
- Polyuria (1-2 weeks)
- Increased urine output: Daily urine output increases rapidly, sometimes above normal levels.
- Risk of dehydration: Excessive urination can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Downtime (weeks to months)
- Symptom relief: The body temperature gradually returns to normal and the urine output returns to normal levels.
- Gradual recovery: systemic symptoms resolve gradually, but it may take months to fully recover.
Who is susceptible to infection?
1. Farmers: Due to frequent work in the fields, there are more opportunities to come into contact with rodents and their excrement, and they are susceptible to infection.
2. Field workers: including forestry workers, geological prospectors, etc., who are at higher risk of contact with rodents while working in the field.
3. Construction workers: Especially in demolition and excavation work, they may disturb and come into contact with rodent habitats.
4. Campers and outdoor enthusiasts: In activities such as camping and hiking, it is easy to come into contact with hantavirus-infected rodents and their excrement.
5. People living in unhygienic environments: People who live in areas with poor sanitation and frequent rodent activity are also at higher risk of infection.
6. Researchers: Persons working with rodents or viruses who are not properly protected are also at risk of infection.
The key to preventing epidemic haemorrhagic fever is to avoid contact with rodents and their excreta, maintain environmental hygiene, and take personal protective measures.
Epidemic haemorrhagic fever (epidemic haemorrhagic fever), how is it treated?
1. Symptomatic treatment: Controlling and relieving symptoms is the key to treatment. For symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain, antipyretics and analgesics may be used. Symptoms such as shock and hypotension need to be corrected in time.
2. Maintain water and electrolyte balance: Patients often experience dehydration and electrolyte imbalance during the course of the disease, so they need to replenish sufficient fluids and electrolytes through intravenous infusion.
3. Supportive care: includes adequate nutritional support and necessary oxygen therapy to maintain the patient's basic vital signs and physical functions.
4. Antiviral therapy: There is no specific antiviral drug, but drugs such as ribavirin can be tried in the early stage to alleviate the disease.
5. Prevention and control of complications: Epidemic hemorrhagic fever may cause a variety of complications, such as renal failure, bleeding tendency, etc. These complications should be prevented aggressively and managed promptly.
6. Isolation and prevention: Patients should be treated in isolation to prevent the spread of the virus. At the same time, strengthening personal protection and avoiding contact with rodents and their excreta is an important measure to prevent epidemic hemorrhagic fever.
Treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a medical professional, and patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure timely and effective treatment.
If you need to know more about the specific conditions or details of treatment, it is recommended to consult a medical professional.
How can it be prevented?
1. Control rodent infestation
Environmental hygiene: Keep the living and working environment clean, and clean up garbage and food scraps in a timely manner.
Closed rodent prevention: Block the rat holes in houses and warehouses to prevent rodents from entering.
Use of mousetraps or rodenticides: Regularly monitor and control rodent populations.
2. Personal protection
Wear a mask and gloves: Wear protective equipment when cleaning up areas that may be contaminated with rodents.
Avoid direct contact with rodents and their excreta: Do not use your hands to contact dead rats or rat droppings.
Avoid food contamination: Store food and drinking water properly to prevent contamination by rodents.
3. Enhance health awareness
Understand how it is transmitted: Understand how epidemic haemorrhagic fever is transmitted and the high-risk setting.
Seek medical attention promptly: Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you have similar symptoms, especially in high-risk areas.
4. Vaccination
Vaccination: In high-prevalence areas, consider vaccination against epidemic haemorrhagic fever to prevent infection.
Although epidemic hemorrhagic fever is severe, it can effectively reduce the infection and mortality rate through scientific preventive measures and early medical intervention. Raising awareness of personal protection, maintaining good environmental hygiene habits, and keeping rodents and their excreta away from them are key to preventing epidemic haemorrhagic fever. I hope that everyone can protect the health of themselves and their families, and stay away from the threat of this infectious disease together.