Marburg hemorrhagic fever

What it is

From: Orphanet

Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF), caused by Marburg virus, is a severe viral hemorrhagic disease characterized by initial fever and malaise followed by gastrointestinal symptoms, bleeding, shock, and multi-organ system failure.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Capillary leak · Very frequent (99-80%)

An acute phenomenon characterized by hypotension and anasarca due to the loss of plasma volume into peripheral tissues, with evidence of decreased plasma volume (hemoconcentration) and protein loss from the intravascular space (hypoalbuminemia) during acute episodes.

Increased circulating immunoglobulin concentration · Very frequent (99-80%)

An increased level of gamma globulin (immunoglobulin) in the blood.

Leukopenia · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormal decreased number of leukocytes in the blood.

Lymphopenia · Very frequent (99-80%)

A reduced number of lymphocytes in the blood.

Viremia · Very frequent (99-80%)

The presence of virus in the blood.

Abdominal pain · Frequent (79-30%)

An unpleasant sensation characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching) and perceived to originate in the abdomen.

Abnormal bleeding · Frequent (79-30%)

An abnormal susceptibility to bleeding, often referred to as a bleeding diathesis. A bleeding diathesis may be related to vascular, platelet and coagulation defects.

Abnormal lymphocyte morphology · Frequent (79-30%)

An abnormality of lymphocytes.

Anorexia · Frequent (79-30%)

Lack of desire to eat (loss of appetite).

Chills · Frequent (79-30%)

A sudden sensation of feeling cold.

Conjunctival hyperemia · Frequent (79-30%)

Dilatation of the blood vessels of the conjunctiva leading to a red appearance of the sclera.

Diarrhea · Frequent (79-30%)

Abnormally increased frequency (usually defined as three or more) loose or watery bowel movements a day.

Fever · Frequent (79-30%)

Body temperature elevated above the normal range.

Headache · Frequent (79-30%)

Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Myalgia (Frequent (79-30%)); Neutrophilia in presence of infection (Frequent (79-30%)); Odynophagia (Frequent (79-30%)); Reticulocytosis (Frequent (79-30%)); Severe infection (Frequent (79-30%)); Vomiting (Frequent (79-30%)); Abnormal number of granulocyte precursors (Frequent (79-30%)); Abnormality of the coagulation cascade (Occasional (29-5%)); Aggressive behavior (Occasional (29-5%)); Arthralgia (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

All ages

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Reported case(s): 500.0; Worldwide. This is a published case count, not prevalence. Point prevalence: <1 / 1 000 000; Worldwide; Class only.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Marburg hemorrhagic fever is Infectious Diseases, with a general physician / infectious disease specialist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which exposure or organism is suspected, and what evidence would confirm it?
• Are precautions, vaccination or advice for close contacts relevant to this infection?
• What should happen if symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Marburg hemorrhagic fever. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.