3/2007Hemorrhagic fever

ANDRZEJ CHCIAŁOWSKI (Klinika Chorób Wewnętrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny MON,Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny,Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Tadeusz Płusa)

Summary
Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a heterogeneous group of diseases in whom clinical manifestation is dominated by fever and hemorrhagiae into multiple systems and organs. Very often insects (ticks, mosquitos) and rodents especially (mice, hooded rats) and monkey are the reservoir of viruses. Direct contact with the above men- tioned parasites or their excrements are the main way of infections. Some viruses may be transmitted from a human to a human directly through the respiratory tract or by contact with blood or different biological materials or medical equipment. Flaviviridae, Bunyaviridae, Arenaviridae, Filoviridae are mainly responsible for hemorrhagic fevers. The authors of the paper present etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and methods of treatment of some of the diseases.

Key words: viral hemorrhagic fever, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment