Which disease listed is a viral hemorrhagic fever?

Which disease listed is a viral hemorrhagic fever?

• A. Smallpox
• B. Plague
• C. Tularemia
• D. Ebola

Answer: (D)

Viral hemorrhagic fever describes viral illnesses that cause fever and bleeding due to damage to the vascular system. Ebola fits this category because it’s caused by the Ebola virus, a filovirus, and it classically presents with sudden fever, weakness, and bleeding that can progress to severe hemorrhage and shock. It’s also highly transmissible through contact with infected bodily fluids, which is why strict isolation and proper PPE are essential for EMS and healthcare teams. The other diseases listed are not viral hemorrhagic fevers. Smallpox is a severe viral illness with a characteristic rash but is not classified as a hemorrhagic fever. Plague and tularemia are bacterial infections, not viral, and they do not present as viral hemorrhagic fever.

Viral hemorrhagic fever describes viral illnesses that cause fever and bleeding due to damage to the vascular system. Ebola fits this category because it’s caused by the Ebola virus, a filovirus, and it classically presents with sudden fever, weakness, and bleeding that can progress to severe hemorrhage and shock. It’s also highly transmissible through contact with infected bodily fluids, which is why strict isolation and proper PPE are essential for EMS and healthcare teams.

The other diseases listed are not viral hemorrhagic fevers. Smallpox is a severe viral illness with a characteristic rash but is not classified as a hemorrhagic fever. Plague and tularemia are bacterial infections, not viral, and they do not present as viral hemorrhagic fever.