WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS CALLED EBOLA

                WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS CALLED EBOLA

The current Ebola epidemic has caused more than 1400 deaths this year alone in at least 5 west African countries namely Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Senegal.
WHO says more than 20 000 people could be infected before the outbreak can be brought under control. The phobia generated by this could be curtailed by a better understanding of the virus and the disease it causes, as we speak now in Nigeria it seems the fear  of Ebola is the beginning of wisdom. 
 Ebola is one of the viruses that cause the group of diseases called Viral Haemorhagic fever.

Lets start by getting down the history lane.
The virus was named after Ebola river valley in Zaire where the first outbreak was discovered in 1976. There are four out of the five known sources that can cause disease in humans and all these four are African in origin :Zaire, Sudan, Cote d’ Ivoire and Uganda. The fifth which is not known to cause disease in human is Reston Ebola virus and it has origin in the  Philippines .

The recent outbreak in west Africa is caused by Zaire Ebola virus ( according to CDC) and its spread by direct contact (broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood and body fluids (urine, semen, saliva and vomitus) of someone who is already sick of Ebola or objects that have been contaminated with the virus.

In Nigeria , there’s possibility of contact through handling or eating of bush meat( e. g bats) although this is currently a controversial issue even among  experts.

Its not known to be transmitted by air, water,  food or “spirits”.

Ebola is unique in the sense that it has features with which it evades the ‘ immune  defense’, its initial presentation makes it like any other disease out there such as typhoid, malaria, gastroenteritis etc.  and consequently wrong treatment is almost inevitable except during epidemic.

The initial symptoms include acute fever, intense weakness, severe muscle pain, sore throat and headache.

This is followed by vomiting ( possibly blood), diarrhea, rash and impaired organ function.
If its diagnosed early enough, with appropriate intervention cure is still likely between  6-11 days.

Allow me to explain in lay man’s language how this deadly virus causes harm to humanity.
 It gets into the system under a disguise and so evades the  arrest by immunity (the body soldiers). Once its already established in the system,  it systematically and gradually deactivates the body’s immunity and therefore continues to destroy body cells recklessly  unchallenged causing cells to explode and consequently die.

Suddenly the immunity realizes its being   over run/ cheated “419ed” so it begins a last minute fight  by releasing all its arsenal into the body system (cytokine storm), this is what affects internal organs which is what makes the person bleed internally and externally, vomiting and diarrhea too occur which leads to severe low blood pressure. Ultimately this is what leads to death. Death typically occurs between 6-16 days.

TREATMENT:     As of today there is no known drug that cures Ebola so please don’t be deceived.

However there are drugs used in treating the condition,  such drugs  (e.g. zMapp) are meant to suppress the cytokine storm (late immune aggressive reaction), aggressive supportive treatments such as fluid and electrolyte balancing , good oxygenation, prevention and treatment of primary and secondary infections, blood pressure control, analgesics, nutritional support, psycho therapy etc.

PREVENTION:    For the care givers, appropriate gown, gloves and facial masks should be used per each patient

For the general populace,  good hygiene is the key, using disinfectants containing chlorine in general household cleaning has been found helpful.

Ability to recognize the initial symptoms which seem to be sudden in onset will save lives,  however unreasonable panic should be avoided, not everyone having fever or the above named symptoms has Ebola infection or else the whole continent is in great trouble!!!

If you recognize the aforementioned symptoms in anybody, isolate the person, inform the ministry of health and report at the nearest hospital.

BE WISE- AVOID CONTACT!!!

I HOPE THIS HAS BEEN FOUND HELPFUL, questions and comments would be welcomed

 

Dr Williams.
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