Ebola virus disease(EVD),Ebola hemorrhagic fever(EHF), or simplyEbolais a disease of humans and other primatescaused by an ebolavirus. Symptoms start two days to three weeks after contracting the virus, with a fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches. Typically, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashfollow, along with decreased function of the liverand kidneys. Around this time, affected people may begin to bleedboth within the bodyand externally. [ 1 ] The virus may be acquired upon contact with bloodor bodily fluidsof an infected human or other animal. [ 1 ]Spreading through the air has not been documented in the natural environment. [ 2 ] Fruit batsare believed to be a carrier and may spread the virus without being affected. Once human infection occurs, the disease may spread between people, as well. Male survivors may be able to transmit the disease via semenfor nearly two months. To make the diagnosis, typically other diseases with similar symptoms such as malaria, choleraand other viral hemorrhagic feversare first excluded. To confirm the diagnosis, blood samples are tested for viral antibodies, viral RNA, or the virus itself. [ 1 ] Prevention includes decreasing the spread of disease from infected animals to humans. This may be done by checking such animals for infection and killing and properly disposing of the bodies if the disease is discovered. Properly cooking meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may also be helpful, as are wearing protective clothing and washing handswhen around a person with the disease. Samples of bodily fluids and tissues from people with the disease should be handled with special caution. [ 1 ] No specific treatment for the disease is yet available. [ 1 ]Efforts to help those who are infected are supportive and include giving either oral rehydration therapy(slightly sweet and salty water to drink) or intravenous fluids. [ 1 ]The disease has a high risk of death, killing between 50% and 90% of those infected with the virus. [ 1 ] [ 3 ]EVD was first identified in an area of Sudanthat is now part of South Sudan, as well as in Zaire(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The disease typically occurs in outbreaks in tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa. [ 1 ]From 1976 (when it was first identified) through 2013, the World Health Organizationreported a total of 1,716 cases. [ 1 ] [ 4 ]The largest outbreak to date is the ongoing 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, which is affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria. [ 5 ] [ 6 ]As of 28 September 2014, 7,157 suspected cases resulting in the deaths of 3,330 have been reported. [ 7 ]Efforts are under way to develop a vaccine; however, none yet exists. [ 1 ] Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms of Ebola. [ 8 ] Signs and symptoms of Ebola usually begin suddenly with an influenza-like stage characterized by fatigue, fever, headaches, joint, muscle, and abdominal pain. [ 9 ] [ 10 ]Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetiteare also common. [ 10 ]Less common symptoms include the following: sore throat, chest pain, hiccups, shortness of breath, and trouble swallowing. [ 10 ]The average time between contracting the infection and the start of symptoms ( incubation period) is 8 to 10 days, but it can vary between 2 and 21 days. [ 10 ] [ 11 ]Skin manifestations may include a maculopapular rash(in about 50% of cases). [ 12 ]Early symptoms of EVD may be similar to those of malaria, dengue fever, or other tropical fevers, before the disease progresses to the bleeding phase. [ 9 ] In 40–50% of cases, bleeding from puncture sites and mucous membranes(e.g., gastrointestinal tract, nose, vagina, and gums) has been reported. [ 13 ]In the bleeding phase, which typically begins five to seven days after first symptoms, [ 14 ] internaland subcutaneous bleeding may present itself in the form of reddened eyesand bloody vomit. [ 9 ]Bleeding into the skin may create petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses, and hematomas(especially around needle injection sites). Sufferers may cough upblood, vomit it, or excreteit in their stool. Heavy bleeding is rare and is usually confined to the gastrointestinal tract. [ 12 ] [ 15 ]In general, the development of bleeding symptoms often indicates a worse prognosis and this blood loss can result in death. [ 9 ]All people infected show some signs of circulatory systeminvolvement, including impaired blood clotting. [ 12 ]If the infected person does not recover, death due to multiple organ dysfunction syndromeoccurs within 7 to 16 days (usually between days 8 and 9) after first symptoms. [ 14 ]
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 11:19:15 +0000
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