You may have heard about Ebola in the news. You may have heard that it is spreading in African countries and that it is a very dangerous disease. It is normal to feel a little scared and worried when you hear this name. However, the best thing to do is to know exactly and clearly about it rather than being afraid of any disease. So today we will talk about this Ebola Virus Disease in a very simple way, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Ebola?
Ebola is a serious, life-threatening disease caused by a virus. Another name for it is viral hemorrhagic fever. This name means that the virus damages the blood vessels in our body. This can cause bleeding inside and outside the body.
The initial symptoms of this disease are similar to a common cold or influenza. So it can be a little difficult to recognize at first. But as the disease progresses, the situation changes completely. That is:
- Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Vomiting
- Neurological disorders affecting the brain and nervous system
Ebola is a very rare disease. That means it is not seen everywhere in the world. This virus was first discovered in Congo, Africa, in 1976. Since then, outbreaks of this disease have been reported from time to time. The largest Ebola epidemic in history was reported from 2013-2016. There, more than 28,000 cases were reported in 10 countries, and more than 11,000 people died.
If you have symptoms of Ebola and have even the slightest suspicion that you have been in contact with someone who has the disease, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) or see your doctor immediately .
Are there strains of the Ebola virus?
Yes, there are four main strains of Ebola virus that affect humans. They are named after the regions where they were first discovered. Each strain varies slightly in its ability to cause symptoms and severity.
| Virus variant name | The disease that causes | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Zaire ebolavirus (Ebola virus) | Ebola virus disease (EVD) | This is the most common type and the one that causes the most deaths. |
| Sudan ebolavirus (Sudan virus) | Sudan virus disease (SVD) | This also has a high chance of being fatal. |
| Bundibugyo ebolavirus (Bundibugyo virus) | Bundibugyo virus disease (BDBV) | The mortality rate is slightly lower compared to other species. |
| Taï Forest ebolavirus (Taï Forest virus) | Taï Forest virus disease (TAFV) | This is the rarest variety. Very few have been recorded. |
What happens when you get Ebola? What are the symptoms?
When Ebola develops, symptoms can come in several stages. Let's break these down into early symptoms and more severe symptoms.
First symptoms appear, like a fever
These symptoms can appear anytime between two days and three weeks after the virus enters the body.
- Very hot.
- Fatigue, extreme tiredness
- Body aches, muscle aches
- Severe headache
- Sore throat
- Appetite
- Shivering due to cold
Severe symptoms may appear within a few days
The situation changes completely when the disease becomes severe.
- Diarrhea (maybe with blood)
- Vomiting (may be accompanied by blood. Looks like coffee ground emesis)
- Redness of the eyes
- Bruising or small blood spots under the skin (petechiae)
- Bruising or bleeding anywhere on the body (e.g. from the gums)
- Black, tarry stools (melena) - This is caused by blood in the digestive tract.
- Dementia
The last severe stage of the disease
If the disease comes at this point, it is very dangerous.
- Organ failure
- Seizures
- Brain swelling (encephalitis)
- Low blood pressure in the body leading to shock
How is Ebola transmitted?
This is the most important part. The Ebola virus isn't just in our environment. It lives in the bodies of certain animals. Specifically:
- Fruit bats
- Animals like monkeys and chimpanzees
- Wild animals like antelopes
The first thing that happens is that the disease is transmitted from one animal to another. Then it starts to spread from one person to another.
Ebola is spread when body fluids from an infected person enter the body of a healthy person. These body fluids include:
- Blood
- Vomiting
- Stool
- Urine
- Sweat
- Did
- Breast milk
- Semen
- In the case of a pregnant mother, the fluid in the womb (`Amniotic fluid`)
The disease can be spread if these bodily fluids enter your body through a cut, scratch, eye, nose, or mouth. It can also be spread through clothing, bedding, or injection needles that have been contaminated with the patient's bodily fluids.
Can it be sexually transmitted?
Yes. The disease can be transmitted through sexual contact with the semen of a man who has Ebola. The virus can remain in semen for months after recovery. Therefore, it is essential for those who have recovered to follow protective measures as advised by their doctor.
Is Ebola transmitted through the air?
No. This is a very important point. The Ebola virus is not transmitted through the air like a cold or cough. This means that just being in the same room as an infected person, talking to them, or being near them when they cough will not spread the disease. For the disease to spread, there must be direct contact with the aforementioned bodily fluids .
Who is most at risk?
Those who are in close contact with an Ebola patient are at the highest risk.
- Family members caring for the patient.
- Hospital staff, including doctors and nurses.
- Those who perform the funeral of someone who died of Ebola (the virus is also present in the body fluids of the deceased).
This is why health workers use special protective suits (Personal Protective Equipment - PPE) that cover them from head to toe when treating Ebola patients.
How is the disease diagnosed? Is there a treatment?
Because the symptoms of Ebola are similar to other diseases like dengue, malaria, and typhoid fever, doctors will first ask you about your travel history and whether you have been in contact with patients.
To confirm the disease, a special blood test is performed. It is called a PCR test .
Treatment
Fortunately, there are more treatments for Ebola than ever before. The two main types of drugs used are called ``Monoclonal antibodies.`` Simply put, these are special proteins made in a laboratory that help our body's immune system fight the virus.
- Inmazeb®
- Ebanga®
In addition to these medications, other treatments are also used to make the patient more comfortable and reduce complications.
- Giving saline (`IV fluids`) to stop water retention in the body
- Oxygen for breathing difficulties
- Giving painkillers for pain
- Giving medication to control blood pressure
The chances of recovery from the disease are only increased if the disease is diagnosed as soon as possible, hospitalized, and treatment begins.
How to protect yourself from Ebola?
If you are traveling to an area with an Ebola outbreak or are at risk, be very careful about these things.
- Avoid contact with bodily fluids of someone who has symptoms of Ebola or has been confirmed to have the disease.
- Avoid eating the meat of wild animals (especially monkeys and bats).
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly. It's even better if you use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching the body of someone who has died from Ebola.
- If you are a man who has recovered from Ebola, avoid having sex or always use a condom until doctors confirm that the virus is not in your semen.
- Avoid unnecessary travel to areas where Ebola is spreading.
Currently, vaccines (`Ervebo®` and `Zabdeno®/Mvabea®`) have been developed to protect against the Ebola virus. These are mainly given to health workers who work with Ebola patients and to people in areas where the disease is spreading.
Take-Home Message
- Ebola is a serious viral disease, but it is only transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids (such as blood, vomit, sweat) of an infected person.
- This disease is not transmitted through the air at all. It is not transmitted by being near a sick person.
- Since the initial symptoms are similar to a common cold, if you have been to an area where Ebola is spreading or have been in contact with a patient, tell a doctor as soon as you develop a fever.
- If you get hospitalized and treated quickly, the chances of curing the disease are much higher.
- The best way to protect yourself from the disease is to practice cleanliness and avoid risky behaviors.
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