What Is Ebola Virus? Symptoms-Containment and Treatment
Ebola virus is a common type of virus in the family Filoviridae. It is one of the most dangerous viruses known. Ebola has been found in bats and primates, but not previously on humans. Over time, it has spread from animal hosts to humans. If you are thinking about traveling to Africa or developing countries where Ebola is present, here are some important things to know so you can get home safely. Ebola is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids like blood or urine, such as coughing and sneezing. You can’t catch Ebola by touching someone else’s body fluids; this includes clothes, bedding, food containers and any other objects that come into contact with infected bodily fluids while they are being used or washed (even if they aren’t contaminated). The symptoms of infection vary based on the type of Ebola virus involved and how it was acquired. Symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea which may come after a fever is already present.
What is Ebola virus?
Ebola virus (also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever) is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. It is caused by a type of virus known as Ebola virus, and it spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or urine.
The symptoms of Ebola virus infection are similar to those of other viral illnesses, like measles, but it can also cause more serious complications such as life-threatening bleeding and organ failure.
In order for Ebola to be deadly, there must be a lot of exposure to the virus prior to infection. If you have had contact with someone who has Ebola, you are at risk of contracting the disease. Because of this risk you should never touch an object that has come into contact with the body fluids of someone who has been exposed to Ebola virus; this includes clothes, bedding and towels. You should also avoid bringing these objects into your home or business until you know they aren’t contaminated with Ebola virus.
Containment and Prevention of Ebola Virus
Containment and prevention of Ebola virus is currently a major focus of the global health community. A team of doctors from the WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other international agencies have been working together for years to develop a vaccine to help prevent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The vaccine was successfully tested on rhesus macaques in November 2014 and there are no signs that it will not be ready in time for humanitarian relief efforts to begin immediately following Ebola outbreaks.
Symptoms of Ebola
Symptoms typically begin with a fever, headache and weakness. These changes may be followed by muscle pain, tenderness in the neck and back, or rash. People who have Ebola can also bleed from their nose and mouth which causes bleeding gums. A fever of 38°C (100°F) is required for the virus to show symptoms.
The virus is spread through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids that are contaminated with infected body fluids as well as through unprotected sex, childbirth, needle-sharing and other unsafe practices like touching a deceased body or kissing someone who has been in contact with an infected person.
When you contract Ebola, your symptoms will likely get better within 72 hours if it’s treated early enough. However, the longer treatment takes, the more severe your symptoms can get and you may need to stay at home for up to 21 days after being diagnosed in order to receive medical care before returning to work or school. By then your condition can be very serious because the Ebola virus is spread through bodily fluids like blood or urine as well as through unprotected sex, childbirth and other unsafe practices like touching a deceased body or kissing someone who has been in contact with an infected person.
If you have been exposed to Ebola
How to be prepared for Ebola
Terrifyingly, Ebola has been found in the United States. Ebola disease is a known medical emergency and requires immediate action by health care providers. This is where you come in.
Before you leave your home country, it’s crucial to take these simple steps:
– Wear protective gloves at all times. This includes any objects you might touch like bedding or food containers. You can help protect yourself from infection by washing your hands with soap and water before touching other people or objects that are contaminated with infected bodily fluids such as blood or urine.
– Avoid touching your face after handling blood and body fluids because this may transmit the virus to you.
– Don’t kiss anyone who is ill if they have any open cuts on their mouth, lips or nose because the virus can get transferred from one person to another through saliva and skin contact. If someone has a fever, don’t try to comfort them just yet; wait for them to go into their own room so they can rest comfortably without being disturbed by visitors/family members/friends. If someone coughs up blood, do not touch their mouth directly as this may also spread the virus to you through direct contact, but do wipe away any bloody material that gets in your
Treatment of Ebola Virus
Ebola virus can be treated with an experimental drug called ZMapp. If a patient has Ebola, they will likely need hospital care. However, the treatment is experimental and not suitable for all patients. If you think you might have Ebola, you should contact your doctor immediately to discuss your treatment options.
How to prepare for travel to Africa if you have been in contact with an Ebola patient.
During a recent trip to Sierra Leone, I spent over a week in a local hospital with an Ebola patient. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with the blood, sweat and vomit of someone who is infected. It can also spread through contaminated medical equipment used to treat the person or during funerals where medical supplies are used. In its earliest stages, Ebola takes about two weeks to develop symptoms. As it progresses, patients get weaker and have fewer chances of survival.
To avoid getting infected when traveling to Africa, you must understand how Ebola is transmitted and what you should do if you do come into contact with someone who is sick with Ebola. If you suspect that a person may be sick with Ebola, immediately tell your health care provider in case they need help or advice from any other doctors or nurses at the hospital. You may also want to ask them for guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks that you can use yourself when caring for people who have been exposed to the virus.
If you do bring home any potential exposure items that have been handled by someone who has been exposed to Ebola (even if it was not touched by that person), keep them separate from all other items until they are safe
Wrapping up
Another deadly disease, Ebola virus has infected millions of people and made headlines around the world. A lot of people want to learn more about Ebola virus and how it can be prevented.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented a few measures to control the spread of Ebola virus and limit the impact it has on people. Learn the basics of this deadly disease so you can be prepared for the worst case scenario.