Dr. Jessica Pelletier and Dr. Sabel Bass co-interview Dr. Valentine Aroh, discussing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of Lassa fever.

Take-Home Points:

• Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa.
• Rats are the primary animal reservoir and are becoming more of an issue as dry seasons lengthen in the face of climate change.
• Mortality rates vary widely due to underreporting; many cases are asymptomatic, but among the symptomatic, mortality is quite high.
• Pregnant women are at extremely high risk for severe disease and death.
• Lassa can resemble other endemic viral illnesses and hemorrhagic fevers, but facial swelling is a distinctive feature.
• RT-PCR is the gold standard for diagnosis.
• Treat ...