What danger does a tick bite carry: Crimean hemorrhagic fever. Crimean hemorrhagic fever (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever)

  • Which doctors should you contact if you have Crimean hemorrhagic fever

What is Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(Latin febris haemorrhagica crimiana, synonym: Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Central Asian hemorrhagic fever) is an acute human infectious disease transmitted through tick bites, characterized by fever, severe intoxication and hemorrhages on the skin and internal organs. First identified in 1944 in the Crimea. The causative agent was identified in 1945. In 1956, a similar disease was identified in the Congo. Investigations of the virus have established its complete identity with the virus found in the Crimea.

What provokes the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

The causative agent of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a virus from the family Bunyaviridae, genus Nairovirus. Refers to arboviruses (Arboviridae). Opened in 1945 by M.P. Chumakov in the Crimea, when examining the blood of sick soldiers and settlers who fell ill during hay harvesting. In 1956, a virus similar in antigenic composition was isolated from the blood of a sick boy in the Congo. The causative agent is called the Congo virus. Virions are spherical, 92-96 nm in diameter, surrounded by a lipid-containing envelope. The most sensitive to the virus cultures are the kidney cells of the embryo of pigs, Syrian hamsters and monkeys. Poor stability in the environment. When boiled, the virus dies instantly, at 37 `C - after 20 hours, at 45 `C - after 2 hours. In the dried state, the virus remains viable for over 2 years. In the affected cells, it is localized mainly in the cytoplasm.

Natural reservoir of pathogen- rodents, large and small cattle, birds, wild species of mammals, as well as ticks themselves, capable of transmitting the virus to offspring through eggs, and being virus carriers for life. The source of the pathogen is a sick person or an infected animal. The virus is transmitted by a tick bite, or by medical procedures involving injections or blood sampling. The main carriers are ticks Hyalomma marginatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes ricinus. Outbreaks of the disease in Russia occur annually in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Astrakhan, Volgograd and Rostov regions, in the republics of Dagestan, Kalmykia and Karachay-Cherkessia. The disease also occurs in the south of Ukraine and in the Crimea, Central Asia, China, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Pakistan, Central, East and South Africa (Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, etc.). In 80% of cases, people aged 20 to 60 get sick.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) during the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

At the core pathogenesis of hemorrhagic Crimean fever is an increase in the permeability of the vascular wall. Increasing viremia causes the development of severe toxicosis, up to infectious-toxic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation, hematopoiesis suppression, which exacerbates the manifestations of hemorrhagic syndrome.

The gate of infection is the skin at the site of a tick bite or minor injuries upon contact with the blood of sick people (with nosocomial infection). There are no pronounced changes at the site of the infection gate. The virus enters the blood and accumulates in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system. With a secondary more massive viremia, signs of general intoxication appear, damage to the vascular endothelium, and thrombohemorrhagic syndrome of varying severity develops. Pathological changes are characterized by multiple hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, the presence of blood in the lumen, but there are no inflammatory changes. The brain and its membranes are hyperemic, they show hemorrhages with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm with the destruction of the medulla. Throughout the substance of the brain, small hemorrhages are detected. Hemorrhages are also observed in the lungs, kidneys, etc. Many questions of the pathogenesis of Crimean-Congo fever remain unexplored.

An autopsy reveals multiple hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, blood in its lumen, but there are no inflammatory changes. The brain and its membranes are hyperemic, they show hemorrhages with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm with the destruction of the medulla. Throughout the substance of the brain, small hemorrhages are detected. Hemorrhages are also observed in the lungs, kidneys, liver, etc.

Symptoms of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Incubation period from one to 14 days. More often 3-5 days. There is no prodrome. The disease develops rapidly.

In the initial (pre-hemorrhagic) period only signs of general intoxication characteristic of many infectious diseases are noted. The initial period lasts more often than 3-4 days (from 1 to 7 days). During this period, against the background of high fever, weakness, weakness, headache, aches all over the body, severe headache, pain in muscles and joints are noted.

More rare manifestations of the initial period include dizziness, impaired consciousness, severe pain in the calf muscles, signs of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Only in some patients, even before the development of the hemorrhagic period, characteristic for this disease appear
symptoms - repeated vomiting, not associated with eating, lower back pain, abdominal pain, mainly in the epigastric region.

A constant symptom is fever, which lasts an average of 7-8 days, the temperature curve is especially typical for the Crimean hemorrhagic fever. In particular, when a hemorrhagic syndrome appears, a decrease in body temperature to subfebrile is noted, after 1-2 days the body temperature rises again, which causes a "two-humped" temperature curve characteristic of this disease.

Hemorrhagic period corresponds to the peak of the disease. The severity of thrombohemorrhagic syndrome determines the severity and outcome of the disease. In most patients, on the 2-4th day of illness (less often on the 5-7th day), a hemorrhagic rash appears on the skin and mucous membranes, hematomas at the injection sites, there may be bleeding (gastric, intestinal, etc.). The patient's condition deteriorates sharply. Hyperemia of the face is replaced by pallor, the face becomes puffy, cyanosis of the lips, acrocyanosis appear. The rash on the skin is initially petechial, at this time an enanthema appears on the mucous membranes of the oropharynx, there may be larger hemorrhages in the skin. Possible nasal, uterine bleeding, hemoptysis, bleeding gums, tongue, conjunctiva. The appearance of massive gastric and intestinal bleeding is unfavorable prognostically. The condition of patients becomes even more severe, disturbances of consciousness are noted. Characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea; the liver is enlarged, painful on palpation, Pasternatsky's symptom is positive. Bradycardia is replaced by tachycardia, blood pressure is reduced. Some patients have oliguria, residual nitrogen increases. In the peripheral blood - leukopenia, hypochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia, ESR without significant changes. The fever lasts 10-12 days. Normalization of body temperature and cessation of bleeding characterizes the transition to a period of recovery. Asthenization persists for a long time (up to 1-2 months). Some patients may have mild forms of the disease that occur without a pronounced thrombohemorrhagic syndrome, but they, as a rule, remain undetected.

Sepsis, pulmonary edema, focal pneumonia, acute renal failure, otitis media, thrombophlebitis can be observed as complications. Mortality ranges from 2 to 50%.

Diagnostics of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Diagnostics of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever based on the clinical picture, epidemiological history data (stay in the area of ​​natural foci, tick attack, contact with patients with Crimean hemorrhagic fever), laboratory results. In the blood there is a reduced number of erythrocytes, leukopenia (up to 1x109-2x109/l), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia. To confirm the diagnosis, isolation of the virus from the patient's blood is used, from the 6th-10th day of illness, an increase in antibody titer is determined in repeated samples of the patient's blood serum in the CSC, diffuse precipitation reactions in agar, passive hemagglutination reactions.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with other viral diseases that manifest hemorrhagic syndrome, especially if the patient in the last days before the development of clinical manifestations of the disease was in countries with a tropical and subtropical climate, with leptospirosis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, hemorrhagic vasculitis, sepsis, etc.

Treatment of Crimean hemorrhagic fever

Patients must be isolated in the infectious diseases department of the hospital. Treatment is symptomatic and etiotropic. Prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics. Exclude the use of drugs that increase kidney damage, for example, sulfonamides. Antiviral drugs (ribavirin, reaferon) are also prescribed. In the first 3 days, a heterogeneous specific equine immunoglobulin, immune serum, plasma or specific immunoglobulin obtained from the blood serum of recovered or vaccinated individuals is administered. Specific immunoglobulin is used for emergency prophylaxis in persons in contact with the patient's blood.

Prevention of Crimean hemorrhagic fever

To prevent infection, the main efforts are directed to the fight against the carrier of the disease. Conduct disinfestation of premises for keeping livestock, prevent grazing on pastures located on the territory of the natural focus. Individuals should wear protective clothing. Treat clothes, sleeping bags and tents with insect repellent. In case of tick bites in the habitat, immediately contact a medical facility for help. For persons who are going to enter the territory of the South of Russia, preventive vaccination is recommended. In medical institutions, one should take into account the high contagiousness of the virus, as well as its high concentration in the blood of patients. Therefore, patients must be placed in a separate box, and service should be trusted only by specially trained personnel.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a very dangerous pathology. Timely diagnosis is essential to start treatment. Running processes are fraught with very serious consequences. The disease has an acute onset and proceeds with pronounced manifestations.

What is a disease

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease. The causative agent belongs to the genus Arboviruses. The main carrier of the infection is the tick. This pathology has a high percentage of cases with a fatal outcome. The disease is common in warm climates. Farmers are more susceptible to this type of fever than others. According to statistics, such a viral disease affects mainly young men, it is less common in women. In children, the disease is detected in isolated cases and is extremely difficult due to a weak immune system. The risk of getting sick is in spring and summer, when ticks are especially active.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is caused by a tick bite

The disease is otherwise called Congo hemorrhagic fever - Crimea, Congo-Crimean fever, Central Asian hemorrhagic fever.

What is Crimean-Congo fever - video

Transmission routes and development factors

The main cause of the disease is the entry into the blood of the bunyavirus, which is transmitted by sucking a tick. The temperature favorable for the vital activity of an infectious agent is from 20 to 40 degrees, which allows it to live quite comfortably both in the body of an insect and animal, and in humans. There is also a contact method of transmission when the tick is crushed and the biological material of infected animals gets on the wound surfaces.

Bunyavirus - the causative agent of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever

The body of most people is very susceptible to the virus. You can also become infected through poor-quality sterilization of medical instruments. The weaker the immune response, the more severe the course of the disease. The virus is resistant to adverse environmental conditions and can only be destroyed by boiling.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is common in many countries of the world.

The presence of chronic infections is one of the provoking factors of the acute course of the disease. With age, the risk of death increases.

Symptoms of hemorrhagic fever

The incubation period (from infection to the appearance of the first signs) of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever is from three to nine days. After a tick bite, the picture of the disease develops much faster than with another method of transmission. Among the first signs of the disease are the following:

  • increase in body temperature to high numbers;
  • severe weakness;
  • dizziness;
  • chills.

Then joint, muscle and headache join the clinical picture. There is nausea, vomiting and inflammation of the conjunctiva. In the future, irritability and aggression join, which are replaced by lethargy and apathy. During this period, body temperature often drops to normal levels, and then sharply increases again.

An increase in body temperature is the main symptom of the Crimean-Congo fever

As the process progresses from the third to sixth day, the infection affects the vascular bed. In this case, skin and other types of hemorrhages occur. These manifestations are fatal. The source of bleeding can be both the nasal mucosa and internal organs. Characteristic rashes appear on the skin.

Then, as a rule, confusion and low blood pressure join. The person may fall into a coma. If the disease has a favorable course, then recovery occurs on the 7th day with a gradual decrease in the severity of the main manifestations.

Crimean fever has a severe course and is accompanied by a characteristic rash.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnostics is important. It is necessary to differentiate the disease from meningococcal infection, typhoid and influenza. To do this, a blood test is carried out to identify certain protective proteins-antibodies against the Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus. In addition, a lot of research is being carried out:


In addition to all of the above, the doctor examines the patient and, based on a combination of clinical signs, can make a diagnosis.

Main treatments: hospitalization, drugs

In the presence of Crimean hemorrhagic fever, urgent hospitalization of the patient is required to prevent life-threatening consequences. The treatment of the disease is symptomatic, since there is no remedy that could destroy the virus. In this case, the following groups of drugs are often used:

  1. Antipyretic. Used to reduce high temperatures. Most often, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, which not only relieve fever, but also relieve unpleasant pain symptoms. These drugs include Ibuprofen and Nurofen.
  2. Hemostatic. Aminocaproic acid is used to prevent serious complications. Additionally, ascorbic acid and Etamzilat are used to prevent bleeding. These funds strengthen the vascular wall and accelerate the adhesion of platelets. All medicinal substances are administered intravenously.
  3. Immunostimulants. This group of drugs is necessary to speed up the healing process and get rid of complications. The patient is injected with a solution of immune serum, which increases the body's resistance to the virus.
  4. Glucocorticoids. In severe cases of the main process, Dexamethasone and Hydrocortisone are used. These fast-acting drugs help to eliminate severe symptoms, reduce pain.
  5. cardiac glycosides. Used to prevent insufficient myocardial contractility. Most often, Digoxin and Strofantin are used, which allow regulating the activity of the heart muscle. These drugs are the prevention of congestion in the lungs and other internal organs.

To prevent dehydration and toxin removal, intravenous infusions of Albumin and Sodium chloride solution are used to replenish fluid deficiency.

Drugs used for therapy, pictured

Ascorbic acid strengthens the wall of blood vessels
Strofantin is used to prevent heart failure
Dexamethasone relieves severe pain and skin manifestations
Ibuprofen relieves fever and pain
Aminocaproic acid prevents bleeding

Treatment prognosis and complications

With a timely approach to treatment and the normal functioning of the immune system, the prognosis of the disease is favorable. However, the virus causes an increased sensitivity in a person, so in most cases the disease is extremely difficult. Treatment should only be carried out in a hospital, as the death rate is at least 40% of all cases.

Early initiation of therapy in the first 3 days after infection allows you to achieve good results. A person is injected with a specific immunoglobulin. As a result, the likelihood of recovery increases several times. In each patient, the disease proceeds with varying degrees of severity of clinical manifestations.

After a fever, long-term immunity is developed. One of the dangerous consequences of the disease is infectious-toxic shock, in which the patient falls into a coma.

Vaccine and other preventive measures

To combat Crimean hemorrhagic fever, it is necessary to protect yourself from tick attacks.

A person who is going on vacation to countries with a warm climate is recommended to carry out preventive vaccination, which will allow developing specific immunity in the body.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a complex disease that at the initial stage can be confused with influenza. However, the symptoms increase very quickly and become extremely severe. At the first sign of the presence of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(Latin febris haemorrhagica crimiana, synonym: Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Central Asian hemorrhagic fever) is an acute human infectious disease transmitted through tick bites, characterized by fever, severe intoxication and hemorrhages on the skin and internal organs. First identified in 1944 in the Crimea. The causative agent was identified in 1945. In 1956, a similar disease was identified in the Congo. Investigations of the virus have established its complete identity with the virus found in the Crimea.

What provokes the Crimean hemorrhagic fever:

The causative agent of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a virus from the family Bunyaviridae, genus Nairovirus. Refers to arboviruses (Arboviridae). Opened in 1945 by M.P. Chumakov in the Crimea, when examining the blood of sick soldiers and settlers who fell ill during hay harvesting. In 1956, a virus similar in antigenic composition was isolated from the blood of a sick boy in the Congo. The causative agent is called the Congo virus. Virions are spherical, 92-96 nm in diameter, surrounded by a lipid-containing envelope. The most sensitive to the virus cultures are the kidney cells of the embryo of pigs, Syrian hamsters and monkeys. Poor stability in the environment. When boiled, the virus dies instantly, at 37 `C - after 20 hours, at 45 `C - after 2 hours. In the dried state, the virus remains viable for over 2 years. In the affected cells, it is localized mainly in the cytoplasm.

Natural reservoir of pathogen- rodents, large and small cattle, birds, wild species of mammals, as well as ticks themselves, capable of transmitting the virus to offspring through eggs, and being virus carriers for life. The source of the pathogen is a sick person or an infected animal. The virus is transmitted by a tick bite, or by medical procedures involving injections or blood sampling. The main carriers are ticks Hyalomma marginatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes ricinus. Outbreaks of the disease in Russia occur annually in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Astrakhan, Volgograd and Rostov regions, in the republics of Dagestan, Kalmykia and Karachay-Cherkessia. The disease also occurs in the south of Ukraine and in the Crimea, Central Asia, China, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Pakistan, Central, East and South Africa (Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, etc.). In 80% of cases, people aged 20 to 60 get sick.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) during the Crimean hemorrhagic fever:

At the core pathogenesis of hemorrhagic Crimean fever is an increase in the permeability of the vascular wall. Increasing viremia causes the development of severe toxicosis, up to infectious-toxic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation, hematopoiesis suppression, which exacerbates the manifestations of hemorrhagic syndrome.

The gate of infection is the skin at the site of a tick bite or minor injuries upon contact with the blood of sick people (with nosocomial infection). There are no pronounced changes at the site of the infection gate. The virus enters the blood and accumulates in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system. With a secondary more massive viremia, signs of general intoxication appear, damage to the vascular endothelium, and thrombohemorrhagic syndrome of varying severity develops. Pathological changes are characterized by multiple hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, the presence of blood in the lumen, but there are no inflammatory changes. The brain and its membranes are hyperemic, they show hemorrhages with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm with the destruction of the medulla. Throughout the substance of the brain, small hemorrhages are detected. Hemorrhages are also observed in the lungs, kidneys, etc. Many questions of the pathogenesis of Crimean-Congo fever remain unexplored.

An autopsy reveals multiple hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, blood in its lumen, but there are no inflammatory changes. The brain and its membranes are hyperemic, they show hemorrhages with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm with the destruction of the medulla. Throughout the substance of the brain, small hemorrhages are detected. Hemorrhages are also observed in the lungs, kidneys, liver, etc.

Symptoms of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever:

Incubation period from one to 14 days. More often 3-5 days. There is no prodrome. The disease develops rapidly.

In the initial (pre-hemorrhagic) period only signs of general intoxication characteristic of many infectious diseases are noted. The initial period lasts more often than 3-4 days (from 1 to 7 days). During this period, against the background of high fever, weakness, weakness, headache, aches all over the body, severe headache, pain in muscles and joints are noted.

More rare manifestations of the initial period include dizziness, impaired consciousness, severe pain in the calf muscles, signs of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Only in some patients, even before the development of the hemorrhagic period, characteristic for this disease appear
symptoms - repeated vomiting, not associated with eating, lower back pain, abdominal pain, mainly in the epigastric region.

A constant symptom is fever, which lasts an average of 7-8 days, the temperature curve is especially typical for the Crimean hemorrhagic fever. In particular, when a hemorrhagic syndrome appears, a decrease in body temperature to subfebrile is noted, after 1-2 days the body temperature rises again, which causes a "two-humped" temperature curve characteristic of this disease.

Hemorrhagic period corresponds to the peak of the disease. The severity of thrombohemorrhagic syndrome determines the severity and outcome of the disease. In most patients, on the 2-4th day of illness (less often on the 5-7th day), a hemorrhagic rash appears on the skin and mucous membranes, hematomas at the injection sites, there may be bleeding (gastric, intestinal, etc.). The patient's condition deteriorates sharply. Hyperemia of the face is replaced by pallor, the face becomes puffy, cyanosis of the lips, acrocyanosis appear. The rash on the skin is initially petechial, at this time an enanthema appears on the mucous membranes of the oropharynx, there may be larger hemorrhages in the skin. Possible nasal, uterine bleeding, hemoptysis, bleeding gums, tongue, conjunctiva. The appearance of massive gastric and intestinal bleeding is unfavorable prognostically. The condition of patients becomes even more severe, disturbances of consciousness are noted. Characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea; the liver is enlarged, painful on palpation, Pasternatsky's symptom is positive. Bradycardia is replaced by tachycardia, blood pressure is reduced. Some patients have oliguria, residual nitrogen increases. In the peripheral blood - leukopenia, hypochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia, ESR without significant changes. The fever lasts 10-12 days. Normalization of body temperature and cessation of bleeding characterizes the transition to a period of recovery. Asthenization persists for a long time (up to 1-2 months). Some patients may have mild forms of the disease that occur without a pronounced thrombohemorrhagic syndrome, but they, as a rule, remain undetected.

Sepsis, pulmonary edema, focal pneumonia, acute renal failure, otitis media, thrombophlebitis can be observed as complications. Mortality ranges from 2 to 50%.

Diagnostics of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever:

Diagnostics of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever based on the clinical picture, epidemiological history data (stay in the area of ​​natural foci, tick attack, contact with patients with Crimean hemorrhagic fever), laboratory results. In the blood there is a reduced number of erythrocytes, leukopenia (up to 1x109-2x109/l), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia. To confirm the diagnosis, isolation of the virus from the patient's blood is used, from the 6th-10th day of illness, an increase in antibody titer is determined in repeated samples of the patient's blood serum in the CSC, diffuse precipitation reactions in agar, passive hemagglutination reactions.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with other viral diseases that manifest hemorrhagic syndrome, especially if the patient in the last days before the development of clinical manifestations of the disease was in countries with a tropical and subtropical climate, with leptospirosis, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, hemorrhagic vasculitis, sepsis, etc.

Treatment of Crimean hemorrhagic fever:

Patients must be isolated in the infectious diseases department of the hospital. Treatment is symptomatic and etiotropic. Prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics. Exclude the use of drugs that increase kidney damage, for example, sulfonamides. Antiviral drugs (ribavirin, reaferon) are also prescribed. In the first 3 days, a heterogeneous specific equine immunoglobulin, immune serum, plasma or specific immunoglobulin obtained from the blood serum of recovered or vaccinated individuals is administered. Specific immunoglobulin is used for emergency prophylaxis in persons in contact with the patient's blood.

Prevention of Crimean hemorrhagic fever:

To prevent infection, the main efforts are directed to the fight against the carrier of the disease. Conduct disinfestation of premises for keeping livestock, prevent grazing on pastures located on the territory of the natural focus. Individuals should wear protective clothing. Treat clothes, sleeping bags and tents with insect repellent. In case of tick bites in the habitat, immediately contact a medical facility for help. For persons who are going to enter the territory of the South of Russia, preventive vaccination is recommended. In medical institutions, one should take into account the high contagiousness of the virus, as well as its high concentration in the blood of patients. Therefore, patients must be placed in a separate box, and service should be trusted only by specially trained personnel.

It is characterized by an acute onset, a two-wave rise in body temperature, severe intoxication and hemorrhagic syndrome (increased bleeding).

The disease was first discovered by Russian doctors in 1944 in the Crimea, later a similar disease was described in the Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya.

A sick person can serve as a source of infection for others, and cases of hospital infection through contact with the blood of patients are also described.

What's happening?

The virus enters the human body through the skin (with tick bites), accumulates in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system, and circulates in the blood. The incubation period is from 1 to 14 days (usually 2-7). The disease begins acutely, with a sharp increase in body temperature to 39-40 ° C, accompanied by chills.

There is a pronounced headache, weakness, drowsiness, muscle and joint pain, pain in the abdomen, sometimes accompanied by vomiting. When examining patients in the initial period, there is a pronounced reddening of the skin of the face, neck and upper chest (“hood symptom”).

The virus infects the vascular endothelium, as well as the adrenal cortex and the hypothalamus, which ultimately leads to an increase in the permeability of the vascular wall, a violation of blood coagulation processes. By 2-6 days of illness, hemorrhagic syndrome develops. Simultaneously with a slight decrease in temperature on the lateral surfaces of the chest, in the region of the shoulder girdle, on the upper and lower extremities, an abundant hemorrhagic rash appears.

There are extensive hemorrhages at the injection sites, nosebleeds, bleeding gums. The severity of the disease during this period increases, episodes of loss of consciousness are possible. Gastric and intestinal bleeding worsens the prognosis.

On average, the temperature remains elevated for 12 days, recovery is slow, increased weakness and fatigue (asthenia) persists for 1-2 months. Complications such as pulmonary edema, sepsis, acute renal failure, pneumonia can lead to death.

Diagnosis and treatment

Recognition of the disease is based on characteristic clinical data (acute onset, severe course, severe hemorrhagic syndrome, seasonality, history of tick bites). Virological and serological diagnostic methods are rarely used in practice.

Treatment is carried out in the conditions of the infectious diseases department. Anti-inflammatory treatment is prescribed, urine output is normalized. Do not use drugs that increase kidney damage.

Prevention

It comes down to caution in nature during the period of activity of ticks in areas endemic for this disease (Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov, Astrakhan, Volgograd Regions, the Republic of Dagestan). When bitten by a tick, you must urgently contact a medical institution.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a disease of a viral nature, characterized by a violation of normal blood circulation and the development of multiple bleeding. Infection comes from a tick bite. The disease develops rapidly. Without timely assistance, the likelihood of a fatal outcome is high.

general information

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is a natural focal disease of a viral nature, the source of which is ticks. This pathology is characterized by an acute onset with bihumped waves of fever, which is necessarily accompanied by headaches and muscle pain, multiple bleeding. The fatality rate is 10-40%. Treatment includes detoxification, the use of antiviral and hemostatic drugs, the introduction of a specific immunoglobulin.

A bit of history

The first cases of the disease were recorded in the steppe regions of the Crimean region in 1944. The patients were soldiers and settlers engaged in haymaking and harvesting.

Later, MP Chumakov began to study the virus. He studied the clinic and epidemiology of the disease.

In 1956, a virus of a similar antigenic nature was found in the blood of an infected boy in the Congo. The causative agent later received the official name of the Congo virus.

In the medical literature today you can find several variations of the name of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF, Central Asian fever, Crimean-Congo disease, etc.).

Reasons for the development of the disease

Infection of a person is possible in several ways:

  • Most often, the virus enters the body in a transmissible way, that is, through the bite of ticks. The latter, in turn, become infected when feeding on cattle.
  • After drinking raw milk from a sick animal, it is also possible to develop such an ailment as Crimean hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms in this case begin to appear within a few hours.
  • Another variant of infection is contact. When crushing ticks, their particles can enter the human body through microcuts and wounds on the skin.

This disease is exclusively professional in nature. People engaged in agriculture (shepherds, milkmaids, livestock breeders), medical workers, veterinarians are more susceptible to infection.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a seasonal course. Outbreaks of morbidity are recorded from May to August. In 80% of cases, the diagnosis is confirmed in people aged 20 to approximately 60 years.

CHF pathogenesis

How does Crimean hemorrhagic fever develop? The symptoms of this disease are described later in this article, first you need to consider the mechanism of its origin.

The virus enters the human body through the skin when bitten by an infected tick. At the site of the "entrance gate" pronounced changes are usually not observed. The virus enters the bloodstream and gradually accumulates in the cells of the so-called reticuloendothelial system. In the case of secondary viremia, symptoms of general intoxication occur, thrombohemorrhagic syndrome develops.

As for pathoanatomical changes, they are characterized by the presence of blood in the lumen of the stomach and intestines, multiple bleeding on the mucous membranes of these organs, but there are no inflammatory processes. The brain is hyperemic. A more detailed study usually shows petechial hemorrhages with destruction of the medulla.

Currently, many questions of the pathogenesis of the disease remain unexplored.

What symptoms indicate pathology?

The incubation period can last from 1 to 14 days. The first signs of Crimean hemorrhagic fever appear suddenly. The disease begins with an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees.

In the prehemorrhagic period, patients have symptoms of general intoxication of the body, which are characteristic of many diseases of an infectious nature. Against the background of a strong fever, patients develop weakness and aches throughout the body. Rare manifestations of the initial stage of CHF include discomfort in the calf muscles, signs of an inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract, impaired consciousness and dizziness.

In some infected, before the onset of the development of the hemorrhagic period, symptoms characteristic of this pathology (vomiting, pain in the lower back and abdomen) occur. A constant symptom of the disease is fever, which usually lasts 7-8 days. For CHF, a decrease in temperature to subfebrile values ​​is typical. Two days later, this figure increases again. This causes the “two-humped” temperature curve characteristic of the disease.

The so-called hemorrhagic period can be compared with the height of pathology. Its severity determines the severity of the disease. In many patients, on the second day after infection, a characteristic rash appears on the skin and mucous membranes, bleeding of internal organs, and hematomas at the injection sites.

The patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating. The clinical picture takes on new variations. So, hyperemia on the face is quickly replaced by pallor, the lips turn blue, the head becomes puffy. Nasal, intestinal and uterine bleedings are possible. Some have impaired consciousness. Patients complain of severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, low blood pressure.

Fever usually lasts no more than 12 days. Normalization of temperature and cessation of bleeding is a clear sign of recovery.

Forms of the disease

  1. True Crimean hemorrhagic fever. With this form of pathology, a characteristic clinical picture is observed with rashes on the skin, bleeding of varying degrees of intensity.
  2. Sometimes doctors diagnose the disease without hemorrhagic syndrome. In this case, the second wave of fever and bleeding are absent.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of Crimean hemorrhagic fever includes:

  • Anamnesis analysis from an epidemiological point of view (determination of the fact of a tick bite).
  • Evaluation of patient complaints (detection of tick bites on the skin, fever for no apparent reason, hemorrhagic rash, multiple bleeding).
  • Virological diagnostics (the doctor isolates a virus from the patient's saliva, and then injects it into the body of laboratory animals for the purpose of follow-up observation).
  • Serological examination (determination of the amount of antibodies in the blood of an infected person to the pathogen).
  • Infectionist consultation.

It is important to differentiate the disease from hemorrhagic fevers of a different etiology, influenza, typhus and other pathologies.

According to the results of a comprehensive examination of the patient, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis of Crimean hemorrhagic fever. Photos of patients with such a diagnosis are presented in the materials of this article.

Necessary treatment

All patients are subject to immediate hospitalization. In some cases, antiviral agents are prescribed (Reaferon, Ribavirin). However, most often therapy is reduced to a decrease in the manifestation of symptoms.

Patients are advised to strictly adhere to bed rest and avoid physical activity. Diet is an important component of therapy. Food should be easily digestible, preference should be given to simple soups, cereals.

Patients are prescribed the introduction of immune plasma and transfusion of donor platelets. The latter is necessary to normalize the function of natural blood coagulation. In case of severe intoxication of the body and dehydration, vitamin therapy, the introduction of saline solutions are indicated. Antipyretics are prescribed to lower the temperature. If CHF is accompanied by a bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended.

Complications and consequences

What complications can Crimean hemorrhagic fever lead to? Treatment of this disease should be prescribed in a timely manner, otherwise the likelihood of developing severe bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, edematous processes increases. Sometimes patients are diagnosed with toxic shock. This is a condition in which, against the background of poisoning the body with toxins, a decrease in blood pressure occurs, as a result, the death of a person.

If the disease is accompanied by a bacterial infection, the likelihood of developing pneumonia or sepsis increases.

Doctors' forecast

A positive outcome of the disease depends on compliance with a number of factors (timeliness of hospitalization and treatment, adherence to the principles of patient care, prevention of complications). Late diagnosis and, accordingly, therapy, improper transportation during severe bleeding can lead to death.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever: disease prevention

When in a natural focus, pathologists, going to the park or to the country, are recommended to wear closed clothes, trousers must be tucked into boots and be sure to take a hat with you. If necessary, you can use aerosols and sprays specially designed to repel ticks. The application procedure should be repeated every three hours.

Upon returning from a forest or park, first of all, you need to inspect yourself for insects. Particular attention is recommended to be paid to the scalp, as well as the so-called natural folds on the skin (armpit, area behind the ears).

After detecting a tick bite, you should immediately seek qualified medical help. You should not wait for the moment when signs of the Crimean hemorrhagic fever appear.

In medical institutions, patients with such a diagnosis are subject to isolation in a box specially designed for this purpose. Only trained personnel are allowed to work with patients.

Instead of a conclusion

  1. This pathology develops as a result of penetration into the body of a virus of the arbovirus family.
  2. The main carriers and sources of fever are domestic and wild animals, as well as ticks.
  3. On the territory of our country, outbreaks of fever are recorded annually in certain areas (Krasnodar Territory, Astrakhan and Volgograd Regions, the Republic of Dagestan, Kalmykia).
  4. In Russia, the incidence is seasonal, with a peak in the period from May to August.
  5. In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in patients diagnosed with Crimean hemorrhagic fever. Anti-epidemic measures and treatment of livestock from ticks are not carried out properly, therefore, there is a surge in the incidence.

We hope that all the information presented in this article will be really useful for you. Be healthy!

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