Rift valley fever history and symptoms
|
Rift valley fever Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Rift valley fever history and symptoms On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Rift valley fever history and symptoms |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Rift valley fever history and symptoms |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
History and Symptoms
In humans the virus can cause several different syndromes. Usually sufferers have either no symptoms or only a mild illness with fever, headache, myalgia and liver abnormalities. In a small percentage of cases (< 2%) the illness can progress to hemorrhagic fever syndrome, meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or affecting the eye. Patients who become ill usually experience fever, generalized weakness, back pain, dizziness, and weight loss at the onset of the illness. Typically, patients recover within 2-7 days after onset.
Approximately 1% of human sufferers die of the disease. Amongst livestock the fatality level is significantly higher. In pregnant livestock infected with RVF there is the abortion of virtually 100% of fetuses. An epizootic (animal disease epidemic) of RVF is usually first indicated by a wave of unexplained abortions.