Lassa Fever
Lassa Fever Causes
The disease is caused by Lassa virus; which is an enveloped, single-stranded, bisegmented RNA virus.
Lassa Fever Definition
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever named after the town in Lassa, Nigeria. The disease was first described in 1969 and is widespread in West African nations.
Lassa Fever Diagnosis
Laboratory test that aid in the diagnosis of Lassa fever include: ELISA test, IgM antibodies.
Lassa Fever Symptoms and Signs
Incubation period of Lassa fever is from 6 to 21 days, after which an acute disease develops affecting multiple organs of the human body. Non-specific symptoms of Lassa fever include the following: * Fever * Facial swelling * Muscle fatigue * Inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) presenting pink or red eyes * Mucosal bleeding Lassa fever is a disease that involves multiple organs of the body. Additional symptoms affecting body organs vary depending on which structure is involved: * If the gastrointestinal tract is involved, symptoms including nausea, bloody vomit, bloody diarrhea, stomach ache, constipation, swallowing difficulties, and hepatitis is likely to occur. * If the involved organs are those within the cardiovascular system, pericarditis, hypertension, hypotension or abnormally high heart rate (tachycardia) will be manifested in the patient. * Respiratory tract involvement may bring symptoms like dyspnea, pharyngitis, pleuritis, chest pain, or cough is likely to develop. * Unilateral or bilateral hearing impairment, meningitis, seizures, or encephalitis are symptoms that will appear when the nervous system is involved.
Lassa Fever Treatment
Patients with Lassa fever should be isolated and treated immediately with Ribavirin along with fluid replacement, fighting hypotension, and blood transfusion if necessary.