The infectious disease specialist called the signs of hemorrhagic fever

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) refers to hantavirus infections. The virus affects small vessels, disrupts blood clotting and causes acute kidney damage. In Russia, a mild form of the disease is most common, affecting mainly the kidneys, but other types of the virus are more severe and life-threatening. Vladimir Neronov, MD, infectious diseases specialist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this on March 25.

"The main source of infection is wild rodents: voles, mice and rats. Most often, infection occurs through inhalation of dust with particles of dried animal secretions. Human—to-human transmission is not observed," the specialist explained.

In the early stages, the disease disguises itself as the flu: high fever, chills, weakness and headache appear. However, according to Neronov, there is no runny nose, cough and sore throat characteristic of the flu. Instead, signs of vascular damage appear — redness of the face and eyes, "fog" or "flies" in front of the eyes, pain in the lower back and abdomen, decreased urine volume, small-point hemorrhages on the skin are possible.

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In the spring, the risk of infection increases, the doctor explained. The snowfall floods the rodents' burrows, and they migrate closer to human habitations — dachas, barns and garages. At the same time, people start cleaning the sites, which raises dust with the virus into the air. The high—risk group includes summer residents, farmers, foresters, hunters and construction workers, as well as anyone who cleans utility rooms without a respirator and gloves.

For prevention, it is important to avoid dry cleaning in rooms where rodents could winter. Neronov recommends wet cleaning with disinfectants, wearing a mask or respirator and gloves, and drying clothes and bedding in the air and sun before use after winter.

Late diagnosis of HFRS is dangerous: acute renal failure, bleeding, infectious and toxic shock, pulmonary edema and cerebral hemorrhages are possible. The doctor stressed that any acute fever after giving or cleaning requires immediate treatment by a specialist, and treatment and diagnosis should be carried out only under medical supervision.

On the same day, RIA Novosti, citing Rospotrebnadzor, reported that with the arrival of spring, the risk of contracting hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which in its early stages is often confused with the flu, has increased dramatically.

Prior to that, on March 24, a laboratory-confirmed case of smallpox infection in monkeys was recorded in St. Petersburg. The patient was hospitalized in a medical facility in a moderate condition.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.