Rift valley fever (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Where to find medical care for Rift valley fever?== | ==Where to find medical care for Rift valley fever?== | ||
*Treatment can be sought at the nearest medical center. | |||
*Usually areas where Rift valley fever is endemic, will have dedicated health care centers catering to people with corresponding symptoms. | |||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Revision as of 15:50, 16 July 2021
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Overview
Rift valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease caused by the RVF Virus (RVFV) that mainly affects livestock and is responsible for illness in humans. The disease process in humans ranges from a simple febrile illness to fatal hemorrhagic conditions. Other symptoms include eye involvement and encephalitis. RVF is also known to have caused miscarriage in women. Mosquitoes, livestock and humans form parts of the virus’ life cycle. With a complex transmission process and lack of specific vaccines or treatment makes the disease difficult to control. Since mosquito breeding is an important factor for the spread of disease, regions with heavy rainfall are at risk to have increased numbers of cases and mortality.
What are the symptoms of Rift valley fever?
- Common Symptoms
- Fever
- Body aches
- Weakness
- Loss of Appetite
- Vomiting
- Profuse sweating
- Headaches
- Bleeding from the nose
- Symptoms due to complications
- Decreased vision
- Pain behind the eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Spots in the visual field
- Yellowish discoloration of skin
- Blood in vomit, urine or stools
- Body rash
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Paralysis
What causes Rift valley fever?
- RVF is caused by the Rift Valley fever virus or RVFV, which belongs to the Bunyaviridae family.
- The genetic composition of the virus is a single-stranded RNA consisting of three segments (L, M and S) out of which L and M possess a negative charge while the S segment has both sense and antisense orientation.[1]
- The virus’ RNA polymerase is coded by the L component which is responsible for replication and transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA) while glycoproteins and protein are encoded via the M segment. [2]
- Nucleoproteins and non-structural proteins are coded by the S segment in its antisense and sense orientation respectively.
Who is at highest risk?
- Travel to endemic areas of RVF are at increased risk of exposure to the disease [3]
- Visiting rural areas and sleeping outside in locations where RVF incidence is high can increase exposure to mosquitos.
- Farmers, herdsman and veterinarians, who handle livestock in endemic areas increase their risk of exposure to the virus.
Diagnosis
- The main purpose is to detect the virus in the blood, which can be accomplished by a few tests.
- RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and ELISA test (for antigen detection) may be used during the initial phase of the illness.
- IgM Antibodies : Once the viral load decreases in the blood, IgM antibody tests are helpful in detecting the presence of ongoing infection.
- IgG Antibodies : In recovered cases, testing for IgG antibodies aid in identifying cases who may have had a recent episode of RVF.
When to seek urgent medical care?
In case of unremitting fever, bleeding from any mucosal site, disorientation, blurred vision, focal muscle weakness or severe weakness, the patient should seek medical care as these symptoms point towards the complications of RVF and require medical attention.
Treatment options
- Mainstay of treatment in most RVF patients is usually supportive with monitoring of body temperature and blood pressure.
- Fluids may be given to patients reporting weakness or low blood pressure.
- There is no specific recommendations for treatment for RVF by the FDA. [4]
- Drugs having renal, hepatic or coagulation side effects should be avoided in RVF patients.
- Ribavirin showed promise in rodent models but was stopped after development of neurological symptoms in some of the patients it was administered during the RVF outbreak in Saudi Arabia in the year 2000. [5]
Where to find medical care for Rift valley fever?
- Treatment can be sought at the nearest medical center.
- Usually areas where Rift valley fever is endemic, will have dedicated health care centers catering to people with corresponding symptoms.
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Sources
- ↑ Giorgi C. et al. 1991. Sequences and coding strategies of the S RNAs of Toscana and Rift Valley fever viruses compared to those of Punta Toro, Sicilian sandfly fever, and Uukuniemi viruses. Virology 180:738–753
- ↑ Gerrard S. R. and Nichol S. T.. 2007. Synthesis, proteolytic processing and complex formation of N-terminally nested precursor proteins of the Rift Valley fever virus glycoproteins. Virology 357:124–133.
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/rvf/exposure/index.html
- ↑ Hartman A. Rift Valley Fever. Clin Lab Med. 2017;37(2):285-301. doi:10.1016/j.cll.2017.01.004
- ↑ Bird BH, Reynes JM, Nichol ST. Rift Valley Fever. In: Magill AJ, Strickland GT, Maguire JH, Ryan ET, Solomon T, editors. Hunter’s Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Disease. 9. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012.