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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDiagnosing specific VHFs in the first few days of illness can be difficult. All infected people initially exhibit the same signs and symptoms: fever, muscle aches, headache and extreme fatigue. What's more, these signs and symptoms frequently occur with many diseases that are far more common than are VHFs.
To reach an accurate diagnosis, your doctor is likely to ask about your medical and travel history and any exposure to rodents or mosquitoes. Be sure to describe international trips in detail, including the countries you visited and the dates, as well as any contact you may have had with possible sources of infection.
Laboratory tests, usually using a sample of your blood, are needed to confirm a diagnosis of viral hemorrhagic fever. Because VHF viruses are particularly virulent and contagious, these tests are usually performed in specially designated laboratories using strict precautions.
