ALKHURMA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a disease that is brought on by a virus that belongs to the Flavivirus family and is passed on to humans by ticks. This condition is generally thought to be acquired through thick bites or by crushing ticks that are infected. However, the virus’s persistence within tick populations, as well as the role of livestock in disease transmission, are not well understood.

Furthermore, this virus was first discovered in a patient from Saudi Arabia in 1995. Since its discovery, alkhurma hemorrhagic fever has recorded several hundreds of cases, with more prevalent occurrences during summer and spring.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms for alkhurma hemorrhagic fever initially include no-specific flu-like indications after an incubation period of 2-4 days. These may include the following:

  • Fever
  • Appetite loss/anorexia
  • Malaise
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Hallucinations
  • Convulsions
  • Discomfort

If you observe any of these symptoms and if they persist, inform your physician at once to determine your condition. No hospitalization might be required if the form of AHF is mild. However, for those who are hospitalized, the following symptoms may be observed:

DIAGNOSIS

Because of the similarities among alkhurma hemorrhagic fever and other types of fever that occur in similar geographic locations, diagnosis for AHF may be challenging. Hence, in order to determine your condition, physicians may conduct the following procedures:

  • Molecular detection using PCR or isolating the virus from the blood (in the early stages)
  • ELISA or the enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (in the later stages)

TREATMENT

Unfortunately, there is still no established, effective treatment for alkhurma hemorrhagic fever. Nevertheless, supportive care will be provided to patients in order to deal with their discomfort, symptoms, and complications. This may include preserving blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels, as well as regulating fluid and electrolyte levels.

While there is no cure for AHF, there are still ways to prevent this disease, such as:

  • Applying tick repellants on the skin or clothes
  • Occasionally checking the skin for any ticks and removing them at once
  • Using tick collars for pets or any domestic animals

Furthermore, if your work involves animals or animal products like livestock, you should avoid any unprotected direct contact with any tissues, fluids, or blood of animals that may have been exposed to the virus.

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