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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffViral hemorrhagic (hem-uh-RAJ-ik) fevers are infectious diseases that interfere with the blood's natural ability to clot. These diseases can also damage the walls of tiny blood vessels, making them leaky. The internal bleeding that results can range from relatively minor to life-threatening.
Some viral hemorrhagic fevers include:
- Dengue
- Ebola
- Lassa
- Marburg
- Yellow fever
These diseases most commonly occur in tropical areas of the world. When viral hemorrhagic fevers occur in the United States, they're usually found in people who've recently traveled internationally.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are spread by contact with infected animals, people or insects. No current treatment can cure viral hemorrhagic fevers, and immunizations exist for only a few types. Until additional vaccines are developed, the best approach is prevention.
- Bell M. Viral hemorrhagic fevers. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/206119449-3/1014371662/1492/1348.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50409-2_16895. Accessed June 11, 2010.
- Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF): Current, comprehensive information on pathogenesis, microbiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/bt/vhf/biofacts/vhffactsheet.html. Accessed June 11, 2010.
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/vhf.htm. Accessed June 11, 2010.
- Farnon EC, et al. Viral hemorrhagic fevers. 2010 Yellow Book. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-5/viral-hemorrhagic-fevers.aspx. Accessed June 11, 2010.
- Peters CJ. What are VHFs and how can we respond medically? In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00327-1&uniq=205678381&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=1012990473#lpState=opened&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00327-1--s0020%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- Zielinski-Gutierrez E, et al. Protection against mosquitoes, ticks and other insects and arthropods. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/protection-against-mosquitoes-ticks-insects-arthropods.aspx. Accessed June 17, 2010.
- Clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/clean_up.html. Accessed June 17, 2010.
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