The initial symptoms of Ebola appear around 21 days after exposure to the virus and the main ones are fever, headache, malaise and tiredness, which can easily be mistaken for a simple flu or cold.
However, as the virus multiplies, other more specific signs and symptoms of the disease appear, such as:
- Nausea; Sore throat; Persistent coughing; Frequent vomiting, which may contain blood; Frequent diarrhea, which may contain blood; Bleeding in the eyes, nose, gums, ear and private parts. body.
Ebola infection should be suspected when the patient was recently in Africa or in contact with other people who were on that continent. In these cases, the patient must be hospitalized and kept under observation to do blood tests to confirm that he is infected with the Ebola virus.
Ebola is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted by contact with the blood, urine, feces, vomiting, semen and vaginal fluids of infected people, contaminated objects, such as the patient's clothes, and by the consumption, handling or contact with fluids of sick animals. Transmission only happens when symptoms appear, during the virus incubation period there is no transmission.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of Ebola is difficult, as the initial symptoms of the disease are nonspecific, so it is important that the diagnosis is based on the result of laboratory tests. The diagnosis is said to be positive when tests with different methodologies indicate the presence of the Ebola virus in the body.
Thus, the diagnosis of Ebola is made based on the signs and symptoms and exposure to the virus at least 21 days before the onset of symptoms. It is important that immediately after the appearance of the initial symptoms or completion of the diagnosis, the person is sent to the hospital for isolation so that appropriate treatment can begin and prevent transmission to other people.
How to Treat Ebola
Ebola treatment must be done in hospital isolation and consists of relieving the patient's symptoms through the use of medications for fever, vomiting and pain, until the patient's body is able to eliminate the virus. In addition, pressure and oxygen levels are monitored to avoid possible brain damage.
Despite being a serious disease, with a high mortality rate, there are patients who have been infected with Ebola and who have been cured, becoming immune to the virus. However, it is not yet known exactly how this happens, but studies are being done. to find a cure for Ebola.
See more about Ebola treatment.
