CPD Articles

An overview of the viral haemorrhagic fevers for the primary care doctor

Indiran Govender, Olga Maphasha, Selvandran Rangiah
South African Family Practice | Vol 62, No 1 : Part 2| a5116 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v62i1.5116 | © 2020 Indiran Govender, Olga Maphasha, Selvandran Rangiah | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 20 March 2020 | Published: 26 June 2020

About the author(s)

Indiran Govender, Department of Family Medicine, Kalafong Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Olga Maphasha, Department of Family Medicine, Kalafong Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Selvandran Rangiah, Department of Family Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

The viral haemorrhagic fevers are infectious diseases that often cause life-threatening illnesses. These diseases are common in the tropical areas of the world, and travel history to an endemic area together with recognising signs and symptoms is essential to aid diagnosis. Treatment is often supportive, and infection control measures need to be instituted early at the point of entry. In this article, we will provide an approach to a patient with viral haemorrhagic fevers in a primary healthcare setting.

Keywords

Ebola virus disease; travel history; Lassa fever; Lujo virus; Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever; Rift Valley fever

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