eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Infectious Disease
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: Treatment & Medication
Updated: Jan 27, 2009
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
Treatment
Medical Care
- Early diagnosis and supportive care can be lifesaving for most patients with viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). The cornerstone of therapy for all these infections is judicious fluid and electrolyte management.
- Blood, platelet, and plasma replacement may be useful for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Infusion of convalescent plasma during the first 8 days of illness with Argentine HF reduces the mortality rate from 15-30% to less that 1%.
Consultations
- Infectious diseases specialist (urgent)
- Hematologist
- Others as dictated by the clinical circumstances
Medication
Ribavirin is effective for treating patients with Lassa fever and markedly reduces the mortality rate if used within the first week of illness. Its use is under investigation for the treatment of patients with South American hemorrhagic fever (HF) but it is recommended for infection with all arenaviruses until a more effective alternative treatment becomes available. Widespread clinical trials have not established the efficacy of ribavirin in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). No evidence suggests any benefit of antiviral agents, passive antibodies, or interferon in the treatment for Ebola or Marburg virus infection.
Antiviral agents
Some evidence suggests that ribavirin may be effective in the viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) (in addition to Lassa fever, for which it is effective), particularly among the other arenaviruses. Treatment must be initiated promptly at the onset of the infection to effectively inhibit the replicating virus.
Ribavirin (Virazole)
DOC for VHF caused by arenaviruses, until other more effective drugs are identified and made available. Inhibits viral replication by inhibiting DNA and RNA synthesis.
Adult
Lassa fever and AST >150:
Loading dose: 32 mg/kg IV infused over 30 min
Postloading regimen: 64 mg/kg/d IV divided q6h for 4 d, followed by 24 mg/kg/d IV divided q8h for 6 d
Similar dosing for other indications is reasonable (in the absence of further information)
Pediatric
Few data exist, but likely administer as in adults
Inhibits zidovudine phosphorylation, thus decreasing its effects
Although ribavirin should not be used when renal impairment is present, it may be necessary for severe disease in which the potential benefit may outweigh the risks
Pregnancy
X - Contraindicated; benefit does not outweigh risk
Precautions
Anemia (most commonly), insomnia, depression, irritability, and suicidal behavior have been reported with PO administration; with IV administration, reversible suppression of erythropoiesis, mild hemolysis, and mild direct hyperbilirubinemia are expected and generally manageable
More on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers |
| Overview: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers |
| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers |
Treatment & Medication: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers |
| Follow-up: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers |
| References |
| « Previous Page | Next Page » |
References
Gonzalez JP, Pourrut X, Leroy E. Ebolavirus and other filoviruses. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2007;315:363-87. [Medline].
CDC. Imported Lassa fever--New Jersey, 2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Oct 1 2004;53(38):894-7. [Medline].
Charrel RN, Zaki AM, Fakeeh M, et al. Low diversity of Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus, Saudi Arabia, 1994-1999. Emerg Infect Dis. May 2005;11(5):683-8. [Medline].
Ambrosio AM, Riera LM, Saavedra Mdel C, Sabattini MS. Immune response to vaccination against Argentine hemorrhagic Fever in an area where different arenaviruses coexist. Viral Immunol. 2006;19(2):196-201. [Medline].
Baize S, Marianneau P, Georges-Courbot MC, Deubel V. Recent advances in vaccines against viral haemorrhagic fevers. Curr Opin Infect Dis. Oct 2001;14(5):513-8. [Medline].
Ahmeti S, Raka L. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Kosova: a fatal case report. Virol J. 2006;3:85. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Aleksandrowicz P, Wolf K, Falzarano D, Feldmann H, Seebach J, Schnittler H. Viral haemorrhagic fever and vascular alterations. Hamostaseologie. Feb 2008;28(1-2):77-84. [Medline].
Bausch DG, Borchert M, Grein T, et al. Risk factors for Marburg hemorrhagic fever, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Emerg Infect Dis. Dec 2003;9(12):1531-7. [Medline].
Bausch DG, Nichol ST, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, et al. Marburg hemorrhagic fever associated with multiple genetic lineages of virus. N Engl J Med. Aug 31 2006;355(9):909-19. [Medline].
Bausch DG, Sprecher AG, Jeffs B, Boumandouki P. Treatment of Marburg and Ebola hemorrhagic fevers: a strategy for testing new drugs and vaccines under outbreak conditions. Antiviral Res. Apr 2008;78(1):150-61. [Medline].
Berger SA, Calisher CH, Keystone JS. Exotic Viral Diseases: A Global Guide. Ontario, Canada: BC Decker Inc; 2003.
Borchert M, Mulangu S, Van der Stuyft P. Lessons from the outbreak of Marburg virus. N Engl J Med. Sep 15 2005;353(11):1185. [Medline].
Bray M. Highly pathogenic RNA viral infections: challenges for antiviral research. Antiviral Res. Apr 2008;78(1):1-8. [Medline].
Bray M, Mahanty S. Ebola hemorrhagic fever and septic shock. J Infect Dis. Dec 1 2003;188(11):1613-7. [Medline].
Briese T, Palacios G, Kokoris M, Jabado O, Liu Z, Renwick N. Diagnostic system for rapid and sensitive differential detection of pathogens. Emerg Infect Dis. Feb 2005;11(2):310-3. [Medline].
Celikbas A, Ergonul O, Dokuzoguz B, et al. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever infection simulating acute appendicitis. J Infect. May 2005;50(4):363-5. [Medline].
Cevik MA, Erbay A, Bodur H, et al. Viral load as a predictor of outcome in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Clin Infect Dis. Oct 1 2007;45(7):e96-100. [Medline].
Charrel RN. Arenaviridae. In: Feigin RD, Cherry JD, Fletcher J, eds. Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. WB Saunders Co; 2004:2364-79.
Charrel RN, Fagbo S, Moureau G, Alqahtani MH, Temmam S, de Lamballerie X. Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus in Ornithodoros savignyi ticks. Emerg Infect Dis. Jan 2007;13(1):153-5. [Medline].
Chiodini J. Mosquito-borne viral infections and the traveller. Nurs Stand. May 7-13 2008;22(35):50-7; quiz 58. [Medline].
de la Torre JC. Reverse genetics approaches to combat pathogenic arenaviruses. Antiviral Res. Dec 2008;80(3):239-50. [Medline].
Delgado S, Erickson BR, Agudo R, Blair PJ, Vallejo E, Albarino CG. Chapare virus, a newly discovered arenavirus isolated from a fatal hemorrhagic fever case in Bolivia. PLoS Pathog. Apr 2008;4(4):e1000047. [Medline].
Djavani MM, Crasta OR, Zapata JC, et al. Early blood profiles of virus infection in a monkey model for Lassa fever. J Virol. Aug 2007;81(15):7960-73. [Medline].
Doganci L. New insights on the bleeding disorders in CCHF. J Infect. Oct 2007;55(4):379-81. [Medline].
Dong J, Olano JP, McBride JW, Walker DH. Emerging pathogens: challenges and successes of molecular diagnostics. J Mol Diagn. May 2008;10(3):185-97. [Medline].
Doyle TJ, Bryan RT, Peters CJ. Viral hemorrhagic fevers and hantavirus infections in the Americas. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Mar 1998;12(1):95-110. [Medline].
Enria DA, Briggiler AM, Sanchez Z. Treatment of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Antiviral Res. Apr 2008;78(1):132-9. [Medline].
Ergonul O. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Lancet Infect Dis. Apr 2006;6(4):203-14. [Medline].
Ergonul O. Treatment of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Antiviral Res. Apr 2008;78(1):125-31. [Medline].
Ergonul O, Celikbas A, Dokuzoguz B, et al. Characteristics of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in a recent outbreak in Turkey and impact of oral ribavirin therapy. Clin Infect Dis. Jul 15 2004;39(2):284-7. [Medline].
Estrada-Pena A, Zatansever Z, Gargili A, et al. Modeling the spatial distribution of crimean-congo hemorrhagic Fever outbreaks in Turkey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2007;7(4):667-78. [Medline].
Fair J, Jentes E, Inapogui A, et al. Lassa virus-infected rodents in refugee camps in Guinea: a looming threat to public health in a politically unstable region. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2007;7(2):167-71. [Medline].
Feldmann H. Marburg hemorrhagic fever--the forgotten cousin strikes. N Engl J Med. Aug 31 2006;355(9):866-9. [Medline].
Fontanarosa PB, Flanagin A, DeAngelis CD. Reporting conflicts of interest, financial aspects of research, and role of sponsors in funded studies. JAMA. Jul 6 2005;294(1):110-1. [Medline].
Garrison AR, Alakbarova S, Kulesh DA, et al. Development of a TaqMan minor groove binding protein assay for the detection and quantification of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Sep 2007;77(3):514-20. [Medline].
Ghosh D, Basu A. Present perspectives on flaviviral chemotherapy. Drug Discov Today. Jul 2008;13(13-14):619-24. [Medline].
Gould EA, Solomon T. Pathogenic flaviviruses. Lancet. Feb 9 2008;371(9611):500-9. [Medline].
Gowen BB, Holbrook MR. Animal models of highly pathogenic RNA viral infections: hemorrhagic fever viruses. Antiviral Res. Apr 2008;78(1):79-90. [Medline].
Gozalan A, Esen B, Fitzner J, et al. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever cases in Turkey. Scand J Infect Dis. 2007;39(4):332-6. [Medline].
Groseth A, Feldmann H, Strong JE. The ecology of Ebola virus. Trends Microbiol. Sep 2007;15(9):408-16. [Medline].
Guerrant RL, Walker DH, Weller PF, eds. Tropical Infectious Diseases: Principles, Pathogens, and Practice. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1999.
Gunther S, Weisner B, Roth A, et al. Lassa fever encephalopathy: Lassa virus in cerebrospinal fluid but not in serum. J Infect Dis. Aug 1 2001;184(3):345-9. [Medline].
Haas WH, Breuer T, Pfaff G, et al. Imported Lassa fever in Germany: surveillance and management of contact persons. Clin Infect Dis. May 15 2003;36(10):1254-8. [Medline].
Hall RC, Hall RC. The 1995 Kikwit Ebola outbreak--model of virus properties on system capacity and function: a lesson for future viral epidemics. Am J Disaster Med. Sep-Oct 2007;2(5):270-6. [Medline].
Hampton T. Vaccines against Ebola and Marburg viruses show promise in primate studies. JAMA. Jul 13 2005;294(2):163-4. [Medline].
Howard CR. Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers: Perspectives in Medical Virology. Vol 11. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2005.
Isaacson M. Viral hemorrhagic fever hazards for travelers in Africa. Clin Infect Dis. Nov 15 2001;33(10):1707-12. [Medline].
Jones SM, Feldmann H, Stroher U, et al. Live attenuated recombinant vaccine protects nonhuman primates against Ebola and Marburg viruses. Nat Med. Jul 2005;11(7):786-90. [Medline].
Khabbaz RF. Emerging viral infections. Adv Pediatr Infect Dis. 1999;14:1-27. [Medline].
Khan AS. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, lassa fever, and new world arenaviruses. In: Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2003:1168-71.
Khan AS. Ebola and Marburg viruses. In: Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2003:1166-8.
Khan SH, Goba A, Chu M, et al. New opportunities for field research on the pathogenesis and treatment of Lassa fever. Antiviral Res. Apr 2008;78(1):103-15. [Medline].
Kurosaki Y, Takada A, Ebihara H, et al. Rapid and simple detection of Ebola virus by reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification. J Virol Methods. Apr 2007;141(1):78-83. [Medline].
Lacy MD, Smego RA. Viral hemorrhagic fevers. Adv Pediatr Infect Dis. 1996;12:21-53. [Medline].
Ligon BL. Outbreak of Marburg hemorrhagic fever in Angola: a review of the history of the disease and its biological aspects. Semin Pediatr Infect Dis. Jul 2005;16(3):219-24. [Medline].
Lima EQ, Nogueira ML. Viral hemorrhagic fever-induced acute kidney injury. Semin Nephrol. Jul 2008;28(4):409-15. [Medline].
Macher AM, Wolfe MS. Historical Lassa fever reports and 30-year clinical update. Emerg Infect Dis. May 2006;12(5):835-7. [Medline].
Magill AJ. Fever in the returned traveler. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Jun 1998;12(2):445-69. [Medline].
Mahanty S, Bray M. Pathogenesis of filoviral haemorrhagic fevers. Lancet Infect Dis. Aug 2004;4(8):487-98. [Medline].
Mairuhu AT, Brandjes DP, van Gorp EC. Treating viral hemorrhagic fever. IDrugs. Nov 2003;6(11):1061-6. [Medline].
Marburg haemorrhagic fever, Uganda--update. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. Sep 7 2007;82(36):317. [Medline].
Mardani M, Jahromi MK, Naieni KH, Zeinali M. The efficacy of oral ribavirin in the treatment of crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in Iran. Clin Infect Dis. Jun 15 2003;36(12):1613-8. [Medline].
Morikawa S, Saijo M, Kurane I. Recent progress in molecular biology of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. Sep 2007;30(5-6):375-89. [Medline].
Moureau G, Temmam S, Gonzalez JP, et al. A real-time rt-PCR method for the universal detection and identification of flaviviruses. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2007;7(4):467-78. [Medline].
Ogbu O, Ajuluchukwu E, Uneke CJ. Lassa fever in West African sub-region: an overview. J Vector Borne Dis. Mar 2007;44(1):1-11. [Medline].
Outbreak news. Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever, Democratic Republic of the Congo--update. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. Oct 5 2007;82(40):345-6. [Medline].
Outbreak news. Marburg haemorrhagic fever, Uganda. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. Aug 17 2007;82(33):297-8. [Medline].
Outbreak of Marburg haemorrhagic fever: Uganda, June-August 2007. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. Oct 26 2007;82(43):381-4. [Medline].
Palacios G, Briese T, Kapoor V, et al. MassTag polymerase chain reaction for differential diagnosis of viral hemorrhagic fever. Emerg Infect Dis. Apr 2006;12(4):692-5. [Medline].
Papa A, Christova I, Papadimitriou E, Antoniadis A. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Bulgaria. Emerg Infect Dis. Aug 2004;10(8):1465-7. [Medline].
Peters CJ. Marburg and Ebola--arming ourselves against the deadly filoviruses. N Engl J Med. Jun 23 2005;352(25):2571-3. [Medline].
Peters CJ, LeDuc JW. An introduction to Ebola: the virus and the disease. J Infect Dis. Feb 1999;179 Suppl 1:ix-xvi. [Medline].
Peterson AT, Bauer JT, Mills JN. Ecologic and geographic distribution of filovirus disease. Emerg Infect Dis. Jan 2004;10(1):40-7. [Medline].
Pigott DC. Hemorrhagic fever viruses. Crit Care Clin. Oct 2005;21(4):765-83, vii. [Medline].
Pugachev KV, Guirakhoo F, Monath TP. New developments in flavivirus vaccines with special attention to yellow fever. Curr Opin Infect Dis. Oct 2005;18(5):387-94. [Medline].
Robertson J, Shilkofski N. Drug doses. In: The Harriet Lane Handbook: A Manual for Pediatric House Officers. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2005:679-1009.
Schuster FL, Honarmand S, Visvesvara GS, Glaser CA. Detection of antibodies against free-living amoebae Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba species in a population of patients with encephalitis. Clin Infect Dis. May 1 2006;42(9):1260-5. [Medline].
Sharifi-Mood B, Mardani M, Keshtkar-Jahromi M, Rahnavardi M, Hatami H, Metanat M. Clinical and Epidemiologic Features of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Among Children and Adolescents From Southeastern Iran. Pediatr Infect Dis J. Apr 23 2008;27(6):561-3. [Medline].
Sheikh AS, Sheikh AA, Sheikh NS, et al. Bi-annual surge of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF): a five-year experience. Int J Infect Dis. Jan 2005;9(1):37-42. [Medline].
Smego RA, Sarwari AR, Siddiqui AR. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: prevention and control limitations in a resource-poor country. Clin Infect Dis. Jun 15 2004;38(12):1731-5. [Medline].
Stein DA, Shi PY. Nucleic acid-based inhibition of flavivirus infections. Front Biosci. Jan 1 2008;13:1385-95. [Medline].
Tarantola A, Nabeth P, Tattevin P, et al. Lookback exercise with imported Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Senegal and France. Emerg Infect Dis. Sep 2006;12(9):1424-6. [Medline].
Tsai TF, Halstead SB. Tropical viral infections. Curr Opin Infect Dis. Oct 1998;11(5):547-53. [Medline].
Vorou R, Pierroutsakos IN, Maltezou HC. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Curr Opin Infect Dis. Oct 2007;20(5):495-500. [Medline].
Wang CC, Liu SF, Liao SC, et al. Acute respiratory failure in adult patients with dengue virus infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Jul 2007;77(1):151-8. [Medline].
WHO. Marburg haemorrhagic fever, Angola. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. May 6 2005;80(18):158-9. [Medline].
WHO. Update on Lassa fever in West Africa. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. Mar 11 2005;80(10):86-8. [Medline].
Wolfel R, Paweska JT, Petersen N, Grobbelaar AA, Leman PA, Hewson R. Virus detection and monitoring of viral load in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus patients. Emerg Infect Dis. Jul 2007;13(7):1097-100. [Medline].
Woodrow CJ, Eziefula AC, Agranoff D, et al. Early risk assessment for viral haemorrhagic fever: experience at the Hospital for tropical diseases, London, UK. J Infection. 2007;54:6-11. [Medline].
Yang C, Ye L, Compans RW. Protection against filovirus infection: virus-like particle vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines. Apr 2008;7(3):333-44. [Medline].
Zampieri CA, Sullivan NJ, Nabel GJ. Immunopathology of highly virulent pathogens: insights from Ebola virus. Nat Immunol. Nov 2007;8(11):1159-64. [Medline].
Further Reading
Keywords
viral hemorrhagic fever, VHF, Alkhurma, Arenaviridae, Argentine hemorrhagic fever, AHF, Bayou virus, Black Creek Canal virus, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, Brazilian hemorrhagic fever, Bunyaviridae, Chapare virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, CCHF, dengue, dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome, Dobrava/Belgrade virus, Ebola, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Four Corners virus, Guanarito virus, Hantaan virus, Hantavirus, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, HPS, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, HFRS, Junin virus, Kyasanur Forest disease, Lassa fever, Machupo virus, Marburg virus disease, Muleshoe virus, New York virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, Puumala virus, Rift Valley fever, RVF, Sabia virus, Seoul virus, Sin Nombre virus, tropical viral infection, Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever
Treatment & Medication: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers