Lassa Fever

Lassa fever is an acute highly contagious arenaviral disease. First identified in Lassa, Nigeria (1969).

Common Symptoms

Facial edema; abdominal tenderness; papulomacular rash; diarrhea; tinnitus; dysphagia; abdominal pain; dizziness; hypotension

Causes and Pathogenesis

(1) Etiology: Arenavirus, Old World arenavirus (Mastomys reservoir), bisegmented enveloped RNA, lipid/detergent-sensitive. (2) Pathogenesis: unclear; prolonged severe viremia, late neutralizing antibodies, simultaneous virus+antibody suggest severe CMI impairment. Pathology: multi-organ congestion/edema, hemorrhagic pleural/pericardial/peritoneal effusions, cervical/facial/back petechiae; cardiac congestion/interstitial edema; lung congestion; splenic white-pulp atrophy; liver degeneration/fatty infiltration to widespread eosinophilic necrosis; focal glomerular necrosis.

Treatment

Symptomatic, drug therapy, TCM, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Rodent control; avoid direct contact with rodents/excreta; no vaccine; strict isolation ≥3-4 weeks; barrier nursing for blood/body fluids.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.