Arenaviruses Treatment & Management

  • Author: Sandra G Gompf, MD, FACP, FIDSA; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 20, 2011
 

Medical Care

No specific medical care is required for mild infections associated with any of the Arenaviridae. Specific and/or careful symptomatic care is needed in more severe infections associated with those agents linked to hemorrhagic fever.

LCM virus infection requires no more than symptomatic treatment.

In overt cases of Lassa fever or any of the South American hemorrhagic fevers, aggressive treatment is needed to attempt to diminish morbidity and mortality.

Supportive care related to blood pressure monitoring/control and careful attention to fluid and electrolytic balance can be lifesaving.

The antiviral drug ribavirin is used in Lassa fever and has also shown efficacy in cases of South American hemorrhagic fever.

Convalescent human plasma has been used with some success in the treatment of Junin virus infection. The lack of parallel success in Lassa fever may be related to low and delayed titers of the specific neutralizing antibody in Lassa fever.

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Consultations

With a compatible illness and travel history, any individual in whom either Lassa fever or one of the South American hemorrhagic fevers is suggested should have immediate consultation with an infectious disease physician and the local public health authorities.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sandra G Gompf, MD, FACP, FIDSA  Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine; Chief, Infectious Diseases Section, Director, Occupational Health and Infection Control Programs, James A Haley Veterans Hospital

Sandra G Gompf, MD, FACP, FIDSA is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kevin M Smith, MD  Fellow in Infectious Disease and International Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Kevin M Smith, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ulyee Choe, DO  Fellow, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Ulyee Choe, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Daniel R Lucey, MD, MPH  Chief, Fellowship Program Director, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington Hospital Center; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Daniel R Lucey, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Joseph F John Jr, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine; Associate Chief of Staff for Education, Ralph H Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD  Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital

Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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