What should you know about viral hemorrhagic fever?

The term covers several infections rather than one single virus. Some are spread by mosquitoes or ticks, while others can pass through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Early symptoms may resemble a common viral illness, including fever, headache, marked tiredness, muscle aches, vomiting or diarrhoea. As illness progresses, dehydration, confusion, breathing difficulty, bruising or bleeding can occur. A recent stay in an affected area, an insect bite, contact with a sick person, or contact with blood can change the level of concern.

Treat suspected exposure as a medical issue rather than trying to manage it alone. Contact a healthcare service urgently and describe your symptoms, travel or residence history, insect exposure, and any contact with blood or body fluids before attending in person. Follow instructions about transport and infection precautions. Avoid close physical contact, sharing towels or clothing, and handling bodily fluids. Do not give medicines intended to prevent bleeding unless a clinician has advised them. Keep drinking fluids only if you are alert and able to swallow.

Seek emergency help for severe weakness, confusion, fainting, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, unusual bruising, bleeding that does not stop, or very little urine. Fever after relevant travel or exposure also needs prompt assessment, even if bleeding is not present. Tell the service about possible exposure before arriving so staff can prepare safely.

Ask which exposures are relevant, whether testing or monitoring is needed, how to protect household members, which medicines are safe, and what changes should trigger emergency help.