infections
Lassa Fever and South American Hemorrhagic Fevers
Introduction
Lassa fever and South American Hemorrhagic Fevers Overview caused by These infections spread from rodents to people, usually when people eat contaminated food. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, cough, and sore throat, as well as bleeding from the mouth, nose, or internal organs. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors do blood and urine tests. Treatment includes giving fluids and other treatments to maintain body functions. Lassa fever has occurred in Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. The South American arenavirus hemorrhagic fevers occur in Bolivia, Argentina, Venezuela, and Brazil. Caused by Arenaviruses , these infections spread from rodents or their urine or droppings to people, usually when contaminated food is eaten. They can spread from person to person through contact with body fluids (such as saliva, urine, feces, or blood). 