Crimean hemorrhagic fever: dangers and forecasts

Crimean hemorrhagic fever has rather dangerous consequences for the infected person. It is common in some European countries, regions with a warm dry climate. Most often, this viral infection affects people employed in rural areas, as it is transmitted with the bites of blood-sucking insects, mainly ticks. The peak incidence occurs in the spring-summer period, however, Crimean hemorrhagic fever can be detected at any time, since the bite of an infected tick can be obtained by accidentally being in places where there is a lot of grass, hay, farm animals graze.

 Methods of infection with Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Most often, young men under 40 years of age treat this disease. The viral infection that causes Crimean hemorrhagic fever is transmitted not only by a tick bite, but also by crushing it on the skin and even by inhalation if the air contains viral elements. Another way of transmitting a viral infection – nosocomial, when used  non-sterile medical instruments.  The susceptibility of people to the Crimean hemorrhagic fever is quite high.

 Symptoms and course of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Penetrating into the body, the Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus infects the endothelium of small blood vessels and disrupts blood clotting. As a result, the permeability of the vascular walls increases, hemorrhages appear in the internal organs (the liver and kidneys are especially affected).

The acute condition in Crimean hemorrhagic fever is characterized by high fever, chills, and other typical symptoms:

• muscle and joint pain;
• severe headache;
• abdominal and lumbar pain;
• dry mouth;
• hyperemia of the face, neck;
• nausea and vomiting;
• photophobia, conjunctivitis;
• excitation changing to drowsiness.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a two-phase course, when symptoms return after a short-term remission. A few days after the onset of the disease, petechial rashes appear on the skin of the face and mucous membranes of the mouth, purpura on the body. The course of the disease can be complicated by nosebleeds, and in especially severe cases – abdominal hemorrhages. Lymph nodes and liver enlarge, convulsions, confusion may occur.

 Treatment of Crimean hemorrhagic  fevers and possible complications

Prospects for the development of complications in Crimean hemorrhagic fever depend on the severity of the course of the disease. If the outcome is favorable, the symptoms gradually subside within a week, but convalescence may drag on for several more months, and the asthenic syndrome after recovery will remind of itself for another year or two.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever can be complicated by pneumonia and pulmonary edema, acute renal and hepatic failure, thrombophlebitis. With complications, the probability of death is quite high – up to 40%. If you suspect Crimean hemorrhagic fever, the patient is subject to mandatory hospitalization.

Antiviral drugs, immunoglobulins are used, detoxification therapy is recommended, in some cases blood transfusion is indicated. If toxic shock develops, corticosteroids are prescribed.