ID4U Episode 27 Lassa Fever

Dr. Jessica Pelletier and Dr. Sabel Bass co-interview Dr. Valentine Aroh, discussing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of Lassa fever. Take-Home Points: Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa. Rats are the primary animal reservoir and are becoming more of an issue as dry seasons lengthen in the face of climate change. Mortality rates vary widely due to underreporting; many cases are asymptomatic, but among the symptomatic, mortality is quite high. Pregnant women are at extremely high risk for severe disease and death. Lassa can resemble other endemic viral illnesses and hemorrhagic fevers, but facial swelling is a distinctive feature. RT-PCR is the gold standard for diagnosis. Treatment is largely symptomatic, but Ribavirin can be tried in the first 6 days of symptoms. Contact and droplet precautions are essential to prevent the spread of disease. Image attribution: generated with Adobe Firefly Episode sound attributions: More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/ Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ airplane_stereo_flyby_05.wav by Izmotion -- https://freesound.org/s/623159/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 cough9.aiff by Fratz -- https://freesound.org/s/19124/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 vomit sound effect.wav by KirbyTheSoundingMan -- https://freesound.org/s/672378/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Toilets at Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre- Main Floor by SoundsLikeYukon -- https://freesound.org/s/852220/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Cat Smokey Meow 1 by redjamie7 -- https://freesound.org/s/729031/ -- License: Attribution 4.0