Argentine hemorrhagic fever
Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), also known as Mal de Junin, is a viral disease endemic to the humid Pampas region of Argentina. It is caused by the Junin virus, a member of the Arenaviridae family.
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
The primary vector for the transmission of the Junin virus is the corn mouse (Calomys musculinus), a rodent species native to the Pampas region. Humans can contract the virus through direct contact with infected rodents or their excreta, or through inhalation of aerosolized viral particles.
Clinical Features[edit | edit source]
The incubation period for AHF ranges from 10 to 14 days. Initial symptoms include fever, malaise, and muscle pain. As the disease progresses, patients may develop hemorrhagic symptoms such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and blood in the urine or stool. In severe cases, neurological symptoms such as encephalitis and seizures may occur.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of AHF is based on clinical symptoms and confirmed through laboratory testing. Serological tests such as ELISA and PCR can be used to detect the presence of the Junin virus in the patient's blood.
Treatment and Prevention[edit | edit source]
There is no specific antiviral treatment for AHF. Management of the disease is primarily supportive, focusing on the relief of symptoms and the prevention of complications. A live attenuated vaccine, Candid #1, is available and has been effective in controlling the disease in endemic areas.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | This Argentina-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
