Ebola virus disease

Ebola virus disease

[ēbō′lə]

Etymology: Ebola River District, Congo

an infection caused by a species of ribonucleic acid viruses of the Filovirus genus. There are four identified subtypes of Ebola virus: Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, and Zaire, which have been associated with human disease, and Reston, which causes fatal hemorrhagic disease in nonhuman primates and originated in the Philippines. The usually lethal disease is characterized by hemorrhage and fever. The natural reservoir and method of transmission of primary infections are unknown, but secondary infection is by direct contact with infectious blood or other body secretions, in research settings, or by airborne particles. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days. Initial symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, myalgia, sore throat, red itchy eyes, and malaise. Later symptoms include severe abdominal pain, chest pain, bleeding, shock, vomiting, and diarrhea. Maculopapular rash may occur in some patients. Treatment is supportive; in nearly 90% of cases, death occurs within 1 week. It is not known why some patients are able to recover from the Ebola virus while others are not, but the latter have no detectable immune response to the infection. The Ebola virus is related to the Marburg virus. Also called African hemorrhagic fever, Ebola hemorrhagic fever. See also Marburg virus disease.

Ebola virus disease

A severe infectious disease first described among laboratory workers in Marburg, West Germany and occurring later in the Sudan and Zaire. There is fever, muscle aching, diarrhoea, sore throat, an extensive rash, bleeding into the bowel and involvement of the brain and kidneys. The mortality may be over 90% in untreated cases and 25% in those given good supportive treatment.

Patient discussion about Ebola virus disease

Q. Ebola is serious I heard that Ebola is serious disease crapping out the inner lining of our intestines, the lining of our tongue peeling off, blood comming out of every hole in our body, including our nips. not too much fun. Could anyone tell me about the treatment for this. So this can educate me and other who read this.

A. Ebola is classified as a biosafety level 4 agent (EXTREME HAZARD-full precautions required, NO KNOWN vaccine/cure), as well as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. and that's because it's highly violent and with no cure or vaccine.