Ebola

Ebola is an acute serious infectious disease, which is usually attributed to the group of viral fevers of the hemorrhagic type. The main sign of the development of Ebola fever is a pronounced hemorrhagic syndrome with the preservation of a high mortality rate. Currently, Ebola is a particularly dangerous infection and it is under special control.

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
The causative agent of the disease is a virus containing an RNA genome that belongs to the genus of filoviruses and the family of filoviridi. Currently, three strains of the disease are known to science – Renston, Zaire, Sudan. In turn, the Sudan and Zaire strains differ greatly in their properties.

In relation to the external environment, the Ebola virus is moderately resistant, it persists in the environment for some time.

Unfortunately, the Ebola virus is still poorly understood. For example, a reliable source of infection and a natural reservoir is unknown, but scientists believe that rodents may be the most likely sources of the disease. It is also possible that some species of monkeys are also considered a source of infection.

A sick person is extremely dangerous for others, as the contagiousness of the virus tends to 100%. Moreover, the first transmissions of the virus are highly lethal (up to 95%), and the subsequent ones are less lethal.

The virus has a great polytropicity to human cells and tissues. Based on this, the transmission mechanism can be very diverse. All human biological fluids are considered to be infectious. Infection can occur even after contact with the skin or mucous membrane of a person.

However, studies have shown that the airborne mechanism of transmission of the disease is unlikely. The natural human susceptibility to the Ebola virus is extremely high. In the case of a favorable outcome, a stable immunity develops after the disease, repeated diseases are rare, statistics are no more than 5%.

SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA
From the moment of infection and penetration of the Ebola virus into a healthy body, an average of several days (sometimes weeks) pass before the first signs appear. The disease begins, like many infections, with the development of a high temperature up to 39 degrees. A pronounced intoxication syndrome also develops – patients complain of headache, muscle and joint pain. The general malaise of the patient is extremely pronounced, there are complaints of nausea.

Initially, the disease hides under the mask of angina–related disease – catarrhal symptoms appear – hyperemia of the tonsils, a feeling of a lump or “ball” in the throat. As the disease develops, other alarming symptoms appear:

Dyspeptic syndrome – indomitable vomiting, severe abdominal pain and profuse hemorrhagic diarrhea. Bowel movements take the form of “melena”.
Subcutaneous hemorrhages, internal bleeding of organs, vomiting of “coffee grounds” – with blood.
Changes in the mental status of the patient – often doctors note mental arousal up to aggressive behavior.
Symptoms continue for two to three weeks, after which in most cases a fatal outcome occurs. The main cause of death of patients is bleeding on the background of intoxication hypovolemic shocks.

EBOLA DIAGNOSIS
Basically, the diagnostic value is only serological examination in a well-equipped laboratory of strict security.

EBOLA TREATMENT
Due to the unexplored nature of the disease against the Ebola virus, there is no effective and proven treatment. All patients are transported to specialized infectious institutions, where they receive symptomatic or palliative treatment.

In the foci of epidemic outbreaks, it is possible to carry out preventive measures using the plasma of patients who have recovered.

Post Views: 456

Ebola

Ebola

Sexually transmitted infections

Varicose veins

Foot – and – mouth disease

Most Popular

WHO: 1 billion people in the world are served by medical institutions without reliable power supply

Gastritis symptoms and what is it

Diarrhea

Rectal prolapse

Recent Comments