Lassa fever physical examination
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Lassa hemorrhagic fever; LHF
Overview
Overview
Persistent, high-grade fever is the most common sign on physical examination. Other common signs on physical examination include tachycardia, tachypnea, conjunctival injection, abdominal/chest tenderness, pharyngitis with tonsillar exudates, and hepatosplenomegaly.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
General Appearance
- In distress
- Sick-looking
Vital Signs
- Persistent, high-grade fever
- Tachycardia or relative bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Tachypnea
Skin
- Uncontrolled bleeding from venipuncture sites
- Jaundice
HEENT and Neck
- Conjunctival injection
- Conjunctival hemorrhage
- Nasal flaring
- Epistaxis
- Nasal discharge
- Hearing impairment (abnormal Renne and Weber tests)
- Mucosal hyperemia of the oral cavity
- Pharyngitis with exudation
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
Thoracic
- Paradoxical breathing
- Chest tenderness
Abdomen
- Abdominal tenderness
- Abdominal distention
- Tender hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Bowel sounds may be hyperactive (bleeding) or hypoactive (ileus)
Extremities
- Extremity edema
Neurologic
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