Rift Valley Fever: Causes, Symptoms, Complications, And Treatment

Rift Valley Fever can be described as a human-animal fever. It belongs to a group d diseases Phlebovirus genus which has a drastic effect on animal species. The outbreak of the disease in 1977 in sheep back in Egypt. It can spread to any fluid like blood, sweat, other bodily fluid through direct and indirect contact.

Direct contact means when a human directly touches any body fluid of an infected human. On the other hand, indirect contact means the transmission of infection through other sources like water, air, or any form of contaminated object, food, or soil. It can also spread through infected mosquitos or tick bites.

It can be found in animals like cattle, sheep, camels, and goats, which are present in abundance in Asian countries.

Summary: Rift Valley Fever is a human-animal disease, associated with the Phlebovirus genus. These viruses are known to have drastic effects on both animals and the human species.

The symptoms can be seen within a week. The incubation period of RVF is around 2-6 days. The virus can affect various parts of the body like the eyes, brain, liver, and other parts of the body. Here is the list of signs showcased by humans:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Blurred and decreased vision
• Headaches
• Coma
• Seizures
• Jaundice
• Vomiting blood
• Bloody stool
• Bleeding from gums, skin, nose

These symptoms may lead to more complicated medical conditions like ocular disease, encephalitis, and hemorrhagic fever. Apart from that, here are the signs that an animal shows under this infection:

• Fever
• Weakness
• Abortion

Summary: The symptoms of RVF can be seen around 2-6 days. The virus affects body parts like the eyes, brain, liver, etc.

There is no root cause that causes the development of disease in animals. Scientists are looking for the virus that infects animals with RVF. However, studies have found out the family of the virus that is transmitted from infected animals to humans causes the disease.

The unknown virus belongs to the Phlebovirus genus family which is known to infect both animals and humans via direct or indirect contact or any bodily fluid like saliva, blood, or sweat.

Summary: We know how the virus is transmitted to animals and humans but the virus is still under the shade. Keep an eye out for bodily fluids like saliva, blood, or sweat of infected animals.

The symptoms of Rift valley fever are identical to various diseases. So it can be difficult for your healthcare professional to identify the rift valley fever disease through general medical examination of medical history. One may create a hypothesis if the patient recently spent time with farm animals, especially sheep, goats, and cattle, or has a high-risk occupation involving the same.

To detect the presence of the virus in both the human and animal bodies, the doctor may advise you to have blood tested for RVF. your doctor may see the presence of virus in blood via Antibody testing using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).

Summary: There is no specific way to accurately diagnose the presence of RVF. But if you see any of the symptoms present in animals or humans, contact your nearest medical professional.

Other than risk groups, here are some preventive measures that everyone should follow in order to avoid getting infected by the Rift valley fever:

• Do not consume any edible or put anything in your mouth into cattle areas.
• Do not take infant's accessories like toys, pacifiers, baby bottles, cups, strollers, or relatable items into the cutting area.
• Avoid any close contact with animals that look or reflect any signs of any kind of illness.
• Use Personal protective gear like protective clothing, mask, gloves, and eye goggles to minimize direct contact with the animals if you are working with sheep, cattle, etc.
• Sanitize your hand's pre and post-animal contact.
• If you are working or petting cattles, look for their health status. Keep an eye on them for any signs and symptoms, call a veterinarian if you suspect anything.
• If the cattle are found sick, avoid direct contact for at least a week with humans and other animals.
• If you are sick or have symptoms identical to the Rift valley fever, take first aid medications to lower the viral fever and isolate yourself from pigs or humans for at least 7 days.
• Keep yourself covered when catling to avoid any mosquito or tick bite.

Summary: It is easy to prevent Rift valley fever if you follow the preventive measures in or around cattle areas. Look closely for any symptom for any safety.

There is no specific treatment plan designed to treat this medical condition. However, many treatments focusing on each problem are generally recommended. The treatment may include medication to decrease the discomfort and pain. Even though the effects of the disease fade within 15-20 days of infection, consult your medical professional in case you find any symptoms.

Summary: If you see any symptoms in your or your animal or close ones. Contact your medical supervisor immediately.

Yes, in most cases it can go away on its own within 15-20 days of infection. But still, it is advised to seek a medical consultant to be safe from any extremities.

No cure has come up into existence to eliminate rift valley fever in the human body. So your doctor will workaround the symptoms showcased by the viral disease. Therapeutic may include medication and therapies that will lower the symptoms.

Summary: Treatment that can completely cure rift valley fever has not been discovered yet.

Apart from animal products associated with or around the infected animal. You can have a normal balanced diet to maintain the health of your body and mind.

It is advised not to consume anything which is associated with infected animals. Do not eat their meat or drink their milk. Also, avoid the same with other animals that went near the infected ones.

There are no certain side effects of the medications that are provided to the patient during rift valley fever, however, there can be certain compounds that one can be allergic to.

Summary: The side effects of the treatment may depend on the type of medication your doctor prescribed you alongside the treatment that your doctor is using to treat the medical condition.

Human-animal virals like rift valley fever can cause serious life-threatening conditions if not managed properly. So it’s important to seek medical aid urgently for early detection.

In most cases, it takes around 15-20 days to get cured of the disease. In some cases, one may feel the presence of infection in your body more than usual. This can be an indication of serious internal damage which needs immediate attention.

Medical consultation may start from as low as INR 500 per hour and can go up to INR 2000 per hour depending on the doctor. Medication and testing can cost you around 20-50 thousand depending upon the doctor and hospital.

Summary: Since the treatment does not include any surgery, the consultation, and medical treatments can cost you around 20-50 thousand in total.

Any physical exercise will not change or speed up the recovery process. It is advised to have adequate bed rest and minimal body movement until the person is completely recovered.

Summary: Intense or moderate physical activities are not advised if a person is suffering from rift valley fever.

Scientists are still looking for a valid treatment plan which can completely cure rift valley fever. However, there are certain medications that can give you relief from surface symptoms.

Summary: There is no specific medication available for now to cure Rift Valley Fever. But your doctor may give your medications that are suitable to treat your surface symptoms.

In most cases, the body creates immunity to such a virus after the first infection. But if an individual has low immunity or is constantly exposed to the virus. Then it causes a Rift Valley Fever relapse.

Summary: The body creates immunity post first infection. However, In the case of low immunity or prolonged virus exposure, one may get infected again.

Since there is no specific treatment designed to cure the disease, there is no specific alternative that can be chosen as a method of treatment for Rift Valley Fever treatment. The treatment only targets the surface symptoms which cannot have any alternative.

Summary: Treatment alternative of rift valley fever is not available. Your doctor will focus on methods focusing on symptoms.

People diagnosed with the same set of symptoms as Rift Valley Fever are eligible for the treatment.

People experiencing different symptoms or diagnosed with different diseases than Rift Valley Fever are not eligible for the treatment.

Post-treatment guidelines only include preventive methods for both animals and humans.

Summary: Rift Valley Fever is a human-animal fever that has a drastic effect on both species. The unknown virus that causes fever belongs to a group d diseases Phlebovirus genus, There is no specific treatment or diagnosis plan available. But vaccination for animals to prevent such infections is available.