Editing Lassa fever (section)

==Signs and symptoms==
Onset of symptoms is typically 7 to 21 days after exposure.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms>{{cite web |title=About Lassa Fever |url=https://www.cdc.gov/lassa-fever/about/index.html |website=CDC |access-date=7 February 2025 |language=en-us |date=31 January 2025}}</ref> These mild symptoms may include fever, tiredness, weakness, and headache.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> In 20% of people more severe symptoms such as bleeding gums, breathing problems, vomiting, chest pain, or [[Shock (circulatory)|dangerously low blood pressure]] may occur.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> Long term complications may include [[hearing loss]].<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> In women who are [[pregnant]], [[miscarriage]] may occur with a likelihood of 95%.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> Lassa fever can be difficult to distinguish clinically from other viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as [[Ebola|Ebola virus disease]].<ref name=WHO2016/> A combination of [[pharyngitis]], pain behind the [[sternum]], [[Proteinuria|presence of excess protein in the urine]] and fever can indicate Lassa fever with higher specificity.<ref name=McCormick1987>{{cite journal |vauthors=McCormick JB, King IJ, Webb PA, Johnson KM, O'Sullivan R, Smith ES, Trippel S, Tong TC  |title=A Case-Control Study of the Clinical Diagnosis and Course of Lassa Fever |journal=The Journal of Infectious Diseases |volume=155 |issue=3 |pages=445–455 |date=March 1987 |pmid=3805772 |doi=10.1093/infdis/155.3.445}}</ref><ref name="Lassa fever"/>

In cases in which death occurs, this typically occurs within 14 days of onset.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> About 1% of all Lassa virus infections result in death.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> Approximately 15%-20% of those who have required hospitalization for Lassa fever die.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> The risk of death is greater in those who are pregnant.<ref name=CDC2019Symptoms/> A "Swollen baby syndrome" may occur in newborns, infants and toddlers with [[pitting edema]], [[abdominal distension]] and bleeding.<ref name=JAMA2018/>