Uncovering the untold story of Lassa fever through the eyes of a physician
Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa, remains a significant health concern due to its transmission through contact with contaminated items and human-to-human spread, posing a threat to healthcare workers. The disease can have a high fatality rate, with survivors often facing long-term health issues like deafness and renal problems. Despite global efforts to combat Lassa fever, the experiences of healthcare workers impacted by the disease have been largely overlooked. Obstetricians and gynecologists are particularly at risk of contracting Lassa fever in healthcare settings due to its similarities to obstetric emergencies, sometimes leading to misdiagnosis and delays in treatment.
Lassa virus structure and genome. (A) Electron microscopic image of Lassa virus (LASV) illustrates the common virion architecture of arenaviruses. Bar, 100nm. (B) Schematic representation of arenavirus virions. The viral envelope, a lipid bilayer derived from the host cell plasma membrane, contains multiple copies of glycoprotein spikes on the surface that are required for receptor binding and virus entry. The Z protein forms a matrix layer underneath the viral membrane. The nucleoprotein NP associates with the polymerase L to form together with the genomic RNA the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. (C) Genome organization of arenaviruses. Arenaviruses contain a bi-segmented negative-strand RNA genome, composed of the small (S) RNA segment and the large (L) RNA segment. Each RNA segment encodes two viral proteins in an ambisense orientation. The open reading frames are separated by intergenic regions (https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/4/11/2973/htm)
One physician shares their personal encounter with Lassa fever, where a patient's symptoms were initially mistaken for obstetric complications. The patient, pregnant and experiencing seizures and antepartum hemorrhage, was diagnosed with atypical eclampsia and underwent an emergency cesarean section. Tragically, she passed away shortly after, with her death attributed to late-stage eclampsia rather than Lassa fever. The physician, exposed to the virus during the patient's care, initially thought their symptoms were due to malaria before being diagnosed with Lassa fever following suspicions raised by a colleague also falling ill.
The physician's firsthand account sheds light on the physical and psychological toll of Lassa fever, with fears of mortality and concerns about potential long-term effects like deafness adding to their distress. Despite receiving medical treatment and support, the physician faced stigma in their community post-recovery, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems for individuals affected by the disease. Additionally, the physician experienced lymph node enlargement during recovery, highlighting the importance of survivor experiences in understanding the diverse manifestations of Lassa fever.
Years later, a visit to an isolation center as part of the physician's Lassa fever fellowship training reignited fears and highlighted the enduring psychological impact of the disease. This experience underscores the significance of addressing the psychological aspect of care in Lassa fever treatment, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and support for those affected. The physician calls for sustained efforts to assist individuals in fully recovering from the physical and psychological effects of Lassa fever, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to care for both patients and healthcare workers impacted by the disease.
Overall, this personal narrative provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by healthcare workers dealing with Lassa fever and underscores the importance of comprehensive support and awareness in addressing the full spectrum of effects associated with the disease.
Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(24)00148-8/fulltext
Lassa virus structure and genome. (A) Electron microscopic image of Lassa virus (LASV) illustrates the common virion architecture of arenaviruses. Bar, 100nm. (B) Schematic representation of arenavirus virions. The viral envelope, a lipid bilayer derived from the host cell plasma membrane, contains multiple copies of glycoprotein spikes on the surface that are required for receptor binding and virus entry. The Z protein forms a matrix layer underneath the viral membrane. The nucleoprotein NP associates with the polymerase L to form together with the genomic RNA the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. (C) Genome organization of arenaviruses. Arenaviruses contain a bi-segmented negative-strand RNA genome, composed of the small (S) RNA segment and the large (L) RNA segment. Each RNA segment encodes two viral proteins in an ambisense orientation. The open reading frames are separated by intergenic regions (https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/4/11/2973/htm)
One physician shares their personal encounter with Lassa fever, where a patient's symptoms were initially mistaken for obstetric complications. The patient, pregnant and experiencing seizures and antepartum hemorrhage, was diagnosed with atypical eclampsia and underwent an emergency cesarean section. Tragically, she passed away shortly after, with her death attributed to late-stage eclampsia rather than Lassa fever. The physician, exposed to the virus during the patient's care, initially thought their symptoms were due to malaria before being diagnosed with Lassa fever following suspicions raised by a colleague also falling ill.
The physician's firsthand account sheds light on the physical and psychological toll of Lassa fever, with fears of mortality and concerns about potential long-term effects like deafness adding to their distress. Despite receiving medical treatment and support, the physician faced stigma in their community post-recovery, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems for individuals affected by the disease. Additionally, the physician experienced lymph node enlargement during recovery, highlighting the importance of survivor experiences in understanding the diverse manifestations of Lassa fever.
Years later, a visit to an isolation center as part of the physician's Lassa fever fellowship training reignited fears and highlighted the enduring psychological impact of the disease. This experience underscores the significance of addressing the psychological aspect of care in Lassa fever treatment, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and support for those affected. The physician calls for sustained efforts to assist individuals in fully recovering from the physical and psychological effects of Lassa fever, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to care for both patients and healthcare workers impacted by the disease.
Overall, this personal narrative provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by healthcare workers dealing with Lassa fever and underscores the importance of comprehensive support and awareness in addressing the full spectrum of effects associated with the disease.
Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(24)00148-8/fulltext
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