What is Ebola?
Ebola is a disease caused by a virus and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
This disease was first discovered in Africa in 1976.
The Ebola virus itself initially lives in the bodies of animals, then infects humans through the blood of animals that have been contaminated with the virus.
Ebola is one of several types of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever, which is caused by infection with viruses from the Filoviridae family, genus Ebolavirus.
The death rate from Ebola varies depending on the strain.
For example, Ebola-Zaire can have a mortality rate of up to 90 percent.
While Ebola-Reston has never caused death in humans.
Ebola Symptoms
Symptoms caused by the Ebola virus are generally felt by sufferers within 5-10 days after infection. Some of the symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Severe headache.
- Shivering.
- Weak.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea that may be accompanied by blood.
- Red eye.
- Rash on the skin.
- Chest pain.
- Cough.
- Weight loss.
- Bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, and anus.
Some patients may experience other symptoms, such as:
- Hiccup.
- Sore throat.
- Chest pain.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Bleeding inside and outside the body.
Laboratory tests may also show low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.
As long as the sufferer’s blood and secretions contain the virus, he or she can be contagious.
In fact, Ebola virus was isolated from the semen of infected men 61 days after the onset of the disease.
Causes of Ebola
This disease is caused by the Ebola virus which was originally found in animals, such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and other primates.
The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, such as urine, feces, saliva, and semen, with the nose, eyes, mouth, or open wounds of a healthy person.
Infection is transmitted through:
- Direct contact with blood.
- Body fluids.
- Infected animal or human tissue.
Seriously ill patients require intensive supportive care.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, severe weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat.
Ebola tends to spread quickly through families, neighborhoods, and close relatives.
The time interval from Ebola infection to the onset of symptoms ranges from 2 to 21 days.
Human-to-human transmission of Ebola
A person can be infected with Ebola in several ways, namely:
- Direct contact through broken skin and mucous membranes with the blood, body organs, or other body fluids of an infected person.
- Indirect contact with the environment contaminated with the fluid.
- Exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles.
- A funeral service in which mourners come into direct contact with the body of the patient.
- Exposure to semen from someone who is infected with Ebola or has recovered from the disease. The virus can still be transmitted through semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from the disease.
- Contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have Ebola.
To date, there is no evidence that Ebola can be spread through insect bites.
Ebola Risk Factors
Some risk factors for Ebola include:
- Visiting countries in Africa.
- Research using experimental animals.
- Health workers who have contact with sufferers.
- A morgue attendant who takes care of the bodies of sufferers.
Ebola Diagnosis
Ebola is more difficult to diagnose because its early signs and symptoms sometimes resemble malaria or typhoid.
Doctors will diagnose Ebola by conducting a medical interview, physical examination, and supporting laboratory examinations to identify the virus, such as:
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
- IgM ELISA.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Ebola Complications
Ebola complications that can arise include:
- Liver organ failure.
- Visual disturbances.
- Infection of the testicles.
- Death.
Ebola Treatment
To date, no cure has been found for Ebola.
The treatment given is only aimed at supporting the sufferer’s immune system in fighting the virus.
Some steps to handle Ebola include:
- Ebola sufferers must be treated in an isolated intensive care unit.
- Oxygen therapy to maintain optimal blood oxygen levels.
- Intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
- Therapy to treat secondary infections that may occur.
- Blood transfusion if there is bleeding.
Ebola Prevention
The most important prevention is to prevent transmission of the Ebola virus, one of which is by not traveling to African countries when Ebola is spreading.
Meanwhile, prevention of transmission is carried out by:
- Ensure all health workers wear protective clothing.
- Implement infection control measures, such as complete equipment sterilization and routine use of disinfectants.
- Isolate people with Ebola from contact with unprotected people.
- Thorough sterilization and proper disposal of needles in hospitals is critical in preventing further infections and stopping the spread of the outbreak.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If necessary, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available.
- Make sure fruit and vegetables are washed and peeled before eating.
- Avoid physical contact with anyone who has possible symptoms of infection.
