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Hemorrhagic Fevers
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Hemorrhagic Fevers

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses caused by four families of viruses that damage the body's vascular system and organ function.

Overview

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of illnesses caused by four families of viruses, including the Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, and yellow fever viruses. These diseases share common features: they affect multiple organs, damage blood vessels, and impair the body's ability to regulate itself. While some VHFs cause mild disease, others—such as Ebola or Marburg—can lead to severe illness and death.

Risk and Distribution

VHFs are found globally, though specific diseases are typically limited to the geographic areas where their animal hosts reside. For example, Lassa fever is restricted to rural areas of West Africa where rats and mice carry the virus.

The risk for travelers is generally low, but it is advised to avoid visiting areas experiencing disease outbreaks. Due to the lack of effective treatments for some of these viral infections, there is significant concern regarding their potential use in bioterrorism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment for VHFs like Ebola and Marburg is primarily supportive, focusing on maintaining hydration, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure, as there is no single cure that works for all patients. However, specific monoclonal antibody therapies, such as Inmazeb and Ebanga, have been approved for the treatment of Ebola virus disease and have shown significant survival benefits in clinical trials. For Marburg virus, no specific antiviral treatment is currently approved, and management remains strictly supportive. Early isolation and aggressive fluid resuscitation are critical components of care to prevent multi-organ failure.
Travelers can reduce risk by avoiding contact with potential animal reservoirs, such as rats and mice, which are common carriers of Lassa fever in West Africa. This includes not handling live or dead animals, keeping food sealed to prevent rodent access, and avoiding areas with high rodent populations. Additionally, travelers should avoid visiting areas with active disease outbreaks and practice strict hygiene, including frequent handwashing. For those traveling to regions with yellow fever risk, vaccination is mandatory and highly effective. Consulting a travel medicine specialist before departure is essential to receive appropriate prophylaxis and guidance on local health risks.
The incubation period for VHFs varies by virus but typically ranges from 2 to 21 days. For Ebola and Marburg, the incubation period is usually 2 to 21 days, while for Lassa fever, it can be 6 to 21 days. Yellow fever has a shorter incubation period of 3 to 6 days. Travelers returning from endemic areas should monitor their health for at least 21 days after departure. If any fever or flu-like symptoms develop during this window, they should seek immediate medical care and explicitly inform healthcare providers of their recent travel history to ensure proper isolation and diagnostic testing.
The early stages of most viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) often mimic the flu, presenting with sudden onset of fever, severe headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. However, the distinguishing factor is the rapid progression to more severe symptoms within days, including internal and external bleeding (such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or blood in urine/stool), rash, and swelling of the face and eyes. Unlike the flu, which typically improves after a week, VHFs often lead to a sharp decline in blood pressure, organ failure, and shock if not treated promptly. Any traveler returning from an endemic area with these escalating symptoms should seek immediate medical evaluation and disclose their travel history.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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