Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
high

Patients who survive Argentine haemorrhagic fever often have a prolonged convalescent period of up to 3 months. During this time patients may experience hair loss.[4]

short term
low

Rare occurrence but may occur in severe disease. May be caused by dehydration or acute tubular necrosis.[4][5] Usually associated with fatal disease in the context of multi-organ failure.

Acute kidney injury

short term
low

Hepatocellular damage has been described in severe cases of SAHFs, and has been documented in Brazilian haemorrhagic fever.[9] Mild transaminitis is common in SAHFs, but hepatocellular damage is usually associated with fatal disease.[4]​ The only described case of Brazilian haemorrhagic fever developed extensive liver necrosis during their acute disease, but this resolved following their survival.[9][34]​

short term
low

Bacterial infection may complicate SAHF. Secondary bacterial sepsis has been described in the later stages of disease, and requires prompt treatment.[3][4][5][6]

variable
high

Infection during pregnancy is uncommon, but it has been described and mortality rates are approximately 50% in the third trimester.[11][34] Fetal and neonatal death and congenital malformations have also been described.[11]

Overview of pregnancy complications

variable
medium

LNS is characterised by febrile episodes, cerebellar signs, and cranial nerve palsies. It has been identified in approximately 10% of patients who have survived Argentine haemorrhagic fever, and who received treatment with immune plasma.[4][5] It generally begins to resolve over a matter of days but may take months for complete resolution of neurological signs.[50][51][54] It has also been described in a patient treated with ribavirin.[4] Macaques with Bolivian haemorrhagic fever that are treated with immune plasma have also demonstrated features of LNS.[2]

variable
medium

Patients who survive Argentine haemorrhagic fever often have a prolonged convalescent period of up to 3 months. During this time patients may experience memory impairment.[4][34]

Assessment of memory deficit

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