The Marburg virus, indigenous to Africa, is an infection that can cause fevers that are hemorrhagic. This means it causes bleeding that is severe, along with organ failure. It can be fatal. It is associated with the more commonly known Ebola virus. There is no cure for the virus and, according to the Mayo Clinic, no therapy that is effective for the fevers. All medical professionals can do is support the body system of those infected. This includes infusion of fluids, making certain blood pressure is maintained, give blood transfusions and treating associated infections.
Initial Symptoms
People can get the Marburg virus by contact with infected animals or other people who already have the infection. There are no symptoms immediately, but they will start to occur up to a week to 10 days following infection, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control. These first symptoms may include bodily weakness, a fever, throat soreness, headaches that are severe, bodily chills and pain in the muscles and joints. Any or all of these will start suddenly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Progressive Symptoms
As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms appear. Some of these will occur in the gastrointestinal system. They may include vomiting and nausea, diarrhea that may contain blood, pain in the stomach, weight loss that is severe and severe bleeding from the rectum. Plasma and blood may be given to patients in the hospital to replenish blood and help it to clot to prevent hemorrhaging.
Other Symptoms
Over the course of the infection, other severe symptoms will occur. These may include mental or emotional difficulties such as confusion, aggressive behavior and irritability. The patient's eyes may turn red from the hemorrhaging and a rash may appear that is raised above the normal level of the skin. Infected people may also experience pain in the chest and a cough.
