What is the Ebola virus disease?
Ebola virus disease as the name indicates is a viral disease caused by the Ebola virus which destroys the blood clotting process of the immune system of infected individuals hence leading to severe uncontrolled bleeding. Ebola virus disease is a deadly and rare pandemic disease.
Fruit bats eat fruit and then these partially eaten fruits drop from trees and land animals eat these infected fruits and through this way, infection travels to animals. These animals when eaten by human beings near forest regions lead to the transfer of disease to mammals.
Who is commonly Affected by Ebola virus disease (EVD)/Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)
As Ebola virus infection is seen in African regions most of the time, blacks are more commonly affected. Otherwise, Ebola virus disease can affect individuals of any race.
What are the causes of Ebola virus disease (EVD)/Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)
Ebola virus disease is caused by the Ebola virus found in fruit bats and monkeys in the forest and transferred to humans by direct blood contact with the infected animal.
Humans catch the infection by coming into contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected virus.
It is found that fruit bat carries the Ebola virus without being affected.
Four forms of Ebola virus cause Ebola virus disease and are as follows
• Sudan virus
• Tai Forest virus
• Zaire Ebola virus
• Bundibugyo virus
How the Ebola virus enters the human body, the mode of transmission
An exact cause is still not known but contact with the bodily fluid of infected animals is the transmission.
Secondly, transmission is from man to man through the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.
Thirdly by direct contact with contaminated medical equipment particularly syringes.
As the symptoms appear very quickly after getting infected it becomes easy to detect the disease and hence limiting the person’s ability to spread the disease becomes easy.
Even the dead bodies of infected individuals are disposed of safely.
Transmission through the air route has not been detected till now.
What are the signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease (EVD)/Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)?
Symptoms of Ebola virus disease start appearing from 2 days to two weeks after getting infected.
Ebola virus infection starts with symptoms of flu which include
• Fever
• A headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle pains
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• A sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Hiccups
• Difficulty in swallowing
On the skin, there is an appearance of maculopapular rash only in about 50% of cases.
In the next 50-60% of cases, bleeding occurs from mucous membranes and even from injured parts. Bleeding time starts about 5-7 days from the appearance of the first symptom.
Internal bleeding occurs in the form of vomit with blood and redness of the eyes.
Internal bleeding in the skin appears in the form of purpura, ecchymoses, hematomas, and petechiae.
Haemorrhages occur because of an impaired blood clotting process.
If the patient does not recover in due time then other internal organs may fail and death occurs due to multiple organ dysfunction syndromes.
Investigations to Be Done
Basic blood tests help in diagnosing the Ebola virus infection.
Levels of aspirate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase are high.
Tissue culture has done
Reverse transcription
Serological testing for antibodies and antigens helps in confirming the infection
Antigen detection ELISA test helps to identify Ebola virus antigens.
How long does it take for Ebola to kill you?
In general, bleeding often indicates a worse condition and blood loss may result in death. Death, if it occurs, follows typically 6 to 16 days from the first symptoms and is often due to low blood pressure or fluid loss.
Can a person survive Ebola?
Ebola is a frightening, highly lethal virus — in the current outbreak in West Africa, about 60 per cent of people infected with the pathogen have died. Doctors don’t know for certain who will survive Ebola, and there is no specific treatment or cure for the disease.
How can Ebola be prevented?
Wash your hands frequently using soap and water – use sanitiser hand rubs when soap isn’t available. Make sure fruit and vegetables are properly washed and peeled before you consume them. Avoid physical contact with a person who has possible symptoms of an infection. Don’t handle dead animals or their raw meat.
Can Ebola be treated?
Presently, there is no specific medical treatment for Ebola hemorrhagic fever the following medical treatments for Ebola-infected patients: Providing intravenous fluids (IV) and balancing electrolytes (body salts) Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure.
What is the treatment for Ebola virus disease (EVD)/Ebola hemorrhagic fever(EHF)?
There is no fixed cure for Ebola virus infection but supportive care helps patients a lot.
Management/prevention of Ebola virus disease (EVD)/Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)
Healthcare workers can prevent themselves from infection by wearing masks, gloves, and goggles.
• Complete isolation of the patient from healthy individuals.
• Safely dispose of dead bodies of infected individuals.
• Medical types of equipment used for infected individuals should be destroyed safely
Management includes
• Fluids and electrolyte balance of infected individual
• Blood transfusions
• Blood pressure medication
• Oxygen
Homeopathic treatment for Ebola virus disease (EVD)/Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)
Crotalus Horridus
Lachesis
Phosphorus
Arsenic
Millifolium
Sulphuric acid
