Viral hemorrhagic fevers including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Americas

The term viral hemorrhagic fever refers to an acute systemic illness with a propensity for bleeding and shock. The viral hemorrhagic fevers endemic in the Americas include yellow fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, the South American hemorrhagic fevers, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Because these diseases are primarily zoonotic, the distribution of any given virus is generally restricted by the distribution of its natural reservoir or arthropod vector. A high index of suspicion, detailed investigation of the travel and exposure history of the patient, and a basic understanding of the incubation periods and distributions of the various reservoirs of hemorrhagic fever viruses are imperative, as are prompt notification and laboratory confirmation. Clinical management is largely supportive, with a special emphasis on safe nursing practices to prevent nosocomial transmission.