Signs and Symptoms of Ebola

Hey m&m! I know you've been sick recently. Some of your symptoms are similar to Ebola symptoms... but don't worry! This post will explain Ebola symptoms and how to differentiate between the flu. 

As previously shown in last week’s post, general signs and symptoms of early stage Ebola are similar to other diseases:

·         Fever

·         Fatigue

·         Malaise (feeling unwell) and weakness

·         Reddened eyes

·         Joint and muscle pain

·         Headache

·         Nausea and vomiting

Here are other signs and symptoms that include later stages of Ebola as well. 

This picture was found here, click to read for another general overview about Ebola transmission and symptom presentation.

As stated above, symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola.

The average number of days where symptoms appear is 8 to 10 days

**Remember! Humans are only infectious once symptoms start showing**

Initial symptoms of Ebola

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• headache
• Sore throat

Late symptoms of Ebola 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function
• Internal and external bleeding
• bleeding gums, blood in the stool 

Take a look at this graphic that summarizes Ebola symptoms and stages! 

Now that you've learned more about Ebola signs and symptoms click here for a great informational graphic about the difference between the flu and Ebola. 

Resources:

Ebola virus disease. (2014, September 1). Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease): Signs and Symptoms. (April 9, 2015 ). Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/distribution-map.html

How is Ebola Diagnosed?

Hey m&m! Cant’ wait to see you in a couple of hours =)

This entry will be about how Ebola is diagnosed. I will talk about what procedures or tests are done to confirm that someone has Ebola rather than something else. I’ll cover a little bit on signs and symptoms but I won’t go too much in detail because my next post will be all about Ebola signs and symptoms!

It is hard to diagnosis a newly infected individual because the early symptoms presented, such as fever, are seen in other more common diseases such as malaria and typhoid fever. Other common early symptoms include muscle pain, fatigue, headache and sore throat. See below for comparisons between Ebola and other diseases! (Hint: click to make bigger) 

If someone is presenting early symptoms of Ebola and has had known contact with body fluids of an infected person or objects that were contaminated by an infected person then it is recommended for them to be isolated until they can confirm or rule out Ebola.

 Blood samples are taken in order to perform diagnostic testing for the Ebola virus.

Below are lab tests used to detect Ebola virus in the blood.  The virus is only detected in the blood after symptoms start; it also may take a few days for the virus to reach levels that are high enough to be detected. (Hint: click to make bigger) 

Click here to read a nice one page handout with good visual aids and text information about Ebola virus testing!


Resources: 

Ebola virus disease. (2014, September 1). Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease): Diagnosis. (April 9, 2015 ). Retrieved April 11, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/distribution-map.html

What Causes Ebola?

Hey m&m, I’ll discuss what causes Ebola in humans, how someone can become infected, and prevention measures. 

As previously discussed in the initial overview, Ebola is caused by the Ebola virus. 

Animals it can be found in: 

• Fruit bats
• Chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys
• Possibly other animals. 

It is transferred through contact with Infected animal’s secretions such as 

• Blood
• Organs
• Other bodily fluids

Humans transmit it directly to one another through infected blood, secretions, organs, and bodily fluids of infected people

This can also include: 

• Saliva, sweat, 
• Vomit, 
• Breast milk
• Semen
• Urine and feces
• Others 

This can be transferred through broken skin or mucous membranes such as eyes nose and mouth, and materials such as bedding, clothing, bandages, medical equipment and needles.

Check out these DOs and DO NOTs for a colorful graphic with great information about what to avoid! 

The graphic below has great facts to dissolve any myths about Ebola:

Who is at risk?

Health-care workers are at high risk when treating patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola Virus Disease. This is usually due to poor infection control precautions.

People at burial or funeral ceremonies that may make contact with the mourned may be at risk if the person was infected as well.

REMEMBER THIS

• ***As long as the blood contains the Ebola virus, people will remain infectious!
• **Someone cannot spread Ebola until they are showing symptoms.
• *There is not enough research to confirm or reject the idea of possible transmission of the virus through sexual activity.

Finally, just to bring the point home and just to give you more graphics since I know you like simple pictures... Check out below for 6 simple but effective ways for prevention! 

Resources:

Ebola virus disease. (2014, September 1). Retrieved April 4, 2015, from
 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

Ebola virus disease. (2014, Octover 10). Retrieved April 17, 2015, from

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001339.htm

What Populations are most affected?

Hi m&m! This post will be about Ebola’s origins and the recent outbreak cases so you know which populations are most affected and the most at risk. 

~Fun Facts~ 

• In 1976 Ebola was discovered by the Ebola River which is now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since its discovery Ebola has spread to many African countries.

• Since then we have learned that there are 5 Ebola virus species, 4 out of those 5 have caused disease in humans. 

The recent 2014 outbreak that you have been hearing about in West Africa is the biggest outbreak since Ebola’s first discovery. The number of cases and deaths in the recent outbreak has been much higher than all other previous outbreaks combined. 

Here is a map of the distribution of the 2014 outbreak in West Africa 
Hint: click on the image to make it bigger

Here is a CDC chart to show the recent 2014 outbreak reported Ebola cases in different countries and the affected areas

Of those countries in the previous chart, here are specific data about the number of cases and deaths per country 

If you want to learn more about the 4 cases in the United States you can click here and read about short detailed summaries of who was affected in each case! 

**As you can see, since you don’t travel to West Africa frequently and you aren't involved in healthcare, your everyday job as a tech geek keeps you relatively safe =) 

Resources: 

Ebola virus disease. (2014, September 1). Retrieved April 4, 2015, from
 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa. (April 9, 2015 ). Retrieved April 11, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/distribution-map.html

What Is Ebola?

Mornings m&m, I hope you're enjoying the sunshine at the batting cages! 

I’m not sure how much you know already so I’m going to define Ebola in general and my future posts will go more into detail about causes, symptoms, treatments, and such.

For starters, Ebola is an infectious disease caused by the Ebola virus. Wild animals can spread this virus to people, and then people can spread it among each other. It is spread through contact with infected blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids of animals and humans. Transmission by humans can also occur through infected materials such as bedding. 

This is a great diagram to get a good visual, I know you like pictures rather than text! Hint: click on the graphic to make it bigger. 

The average Ebola virus disease case fatality rate is 50%; this means that it causes death in 50% of the people who contract the virus ...scary. The first outbreak of this disease was in small villages in Central Africa near tropical rainforests, and recently cases have occurred in major West African urban and rural areas. 

Right now there isn’t a treatment that can neutralize the virus and there are no current vaccines, BUT there are 2 vaccine candidates being evaluated right now, and there are treatment methods for symptoms that are shown to improve survival.

Here is a simple but very informational graphic about 10 things you should know about Ebola. Take a look! I know you will tell me you looked at it, but we both know all you do is glance things over in 3 seconds and pretend you looked in detail.  I WILL quiz you on it later, so if you don’t want to get in trouble take the time to read it over, it’s for your own benefit =) 

Resources:

About Ebola Virus Disease. (2014, December 8). Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/about.html

Ebola virus disease. (2014, September). Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

My Blog Inspiration

Hey m&m,

I know you wanted to learn more about Ebola, as per your text:

“It’s mysterious and something that I've heard about recently”

So this blog post is dedicated to you.