Ebola became the center of the world's attention because of the recent epidemic. By 2014, the WHO records that there are at least 18,000 cases of ebola occurring in the West African region, with mortality rates reaching 30 percent of all cases
The disease is caused by a virus and can be fatal if it is not treated immediately. Ebola was first discovered in 1976 in Sudan and Congo. Experts suspect that the Ebola virus already lives in the body of fruit-eating bats or codots. The virus then spread to other animals and possibly infect humans through the blood as they clean up the blood of contaminated game animals.
Ebola Virus Spread
Ebola is a deadly disease caused by a virus and spreads through direct contact with blood or body fluids of the patient such as urine, stool, saliva, and semen. In this case, 'direct contact' means blood or other body fluids (such as saliva or snot) of a person who touches his nose, eyes, mouth, or open wound.
Groups of people who are at high risk of contracting the virus are generally families who live at home with patients and people who care for patients such as medical personnel. If any member of your family is suspected of having Ebola, you should not take care of him yourself at home and immediately take him to the hospital.
During treatment, the condition of Ebola sufferers will be carefully monitored. Medical examinations will also be held regularly as they remain potentially infectious of this disease as long as the blood and body fluids still contain the virus.
The environment surrounding contaminated Ebola virus is also at risk of transmitting the disease. For example, clothes, bed sheets, and syringes former patients. Therefore, family and medics treating Ebola sufferers need to increase alertness and maximize the protection used.
Ebola virus can survive outside the body for several days, including on the patient's skin. Therefore, the funeral tradition that requires family or close friends to bathe the body also has the potential to transmit Ebola virus. Family and medical personnel are advised to handle the body of Ebola sufferers with maximum protection. The funeral process should be left to trained and experienced parties in handling similar cases.
In contrast to cases of flu or chicken pox that are transmitted through saliva that is in the air, the Ebola patient's body fluid requires direct contact for contagion. Droplets of saliva or snot of Ebola sufferers who accidentally sneeze or cough can only transmit the virus if exposed to the nose, eyes, mouth, and open wounds of a person. Therefore, the spread of Ebola through coughing or sneezing is rare.
Ebola Symptoms
The incubation period (the time between the entry of the virus into the body until the first symptoms appear) of Ebola disease is about 2 to 21 days. Please keep in mind that the Ebola virus transmission only begins to occur when the symptoms are present.
A number of early symptoms that indicate this disease will attack suddenly. Such indications include:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Feel very weak.
- Pain in muscles and joints.
- Sore throat.
After the symptoms above, will appear follow-up symptoms in the form:
- Gag.
- Stomach ache.
- Diarrhea.
- Rash.
- Impaired liver and kidney function.
- Bleeding in the body that sometimes also comes out through the mouth, nose, eyes, or ears.
Ebola virus can spread quickly and is very deadly, so avoid direct contact with the patient. If you suspect you or any of your family members contracted the Ebola virus, see your doctor immediately for a checkup.
Ebola Diagnosis Process
Ebola is a disease that is difficult to detect because its initial symptoms are similar to other diseases, such as malaria and cholera. The diagnosis of viral infection can only be confirmed by laboratory examination.
To confirm the diagnosis, doctors will recommend a special examination of Ebola virus through blood and fluid from the patient's body. In addition to viral testing, blood test results also usually show low white blood cell count and platelet count, as well as elevated liver enzyme levels.
Ebola Treatment Method
Once positively diagnosed with Ebola, the patient will undergo intensive treatment at the hospital. Rapid and appropriate medical treatment is key in the major increase the likelihood of patient safety.
No drugs have been found to combat the Ebola virus. But research continues to find effective vaccines and drugs to treat the disease.
Treatment is only intended to support the patient's immune in fighting the virus. Patients will generally receive fluids through an IV to prevent dehydration. As long as the body combats Ebola's disease, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and the function of the patient's organs should be maintained to the maximum extent possible.
Steps to Prevent Spread of Ebola Virus
- Find out more information about Ebola virus.
- If any family member or anyone around you who may be infected by Ebola, immediately take them for an examination and treatment at the hospital.
- Avoid sexual intercourse with ebola patients without using a safety (condom). Numerous studies show that the ebola virus is still detectable in male cement fluid, even for months after the man is declared cured of ebola.
- Always wash hands with water and soap. Alcohol-based hand sanitizing fluid is also useful.
- Avoid direct contact with skin, blood, and body fluids.
- Do not hold objects around the patient, such as clothing, or sheets.
- The body of Ebola sufferers should be treated with maximum protection and by trained and experienced parties in handling such cases.
- Avoid traveling to areas with high Ebola cases.
- If you are in an area at risk of transmitting Ebola, avoid contact with animals that potentially transmit it, including flesh or blood. For example, fruit-eating bats or codots and monkeys.
- Wash and peel fruits and vegetables before consumption.
- Cook the meat of animals and vegetables until they are completely cooked before they are consumed.
Especially for medical personnel, there are some precautions that should be taken to minimize the risk of contracting Ebola. Among others:
- Be careful when handling blood, body fluids, catheters, and when installing a patient infusion.
- Use maximum protection, for example by wearing masks, gloves, as well as shirts and protective goggles.
- Always wash hands, especially after direct contact with the patient's skin. Includes blood, body fluids, and objects around the patient.
- Avoid corpse cleansing rituals without proper protective equipment.
- Dispose of disposable medical equipment, such as syringes, carefully.
- Isolate Ebola patients or those suspected of having Ebola in a special room and limit the number of visitors to a minimum.
Until now, experts are still examining the effectiveness of ebola vaccine (VSV-EBOV). Currently the study has entered the final stage and will be recorded and assessed to determine whether the vaccine is effective in humans to prevent ebola.