Ebola disease "decimated" the population of West Africa.The virus infiltrated and many other countries.He revealed in the UK, USA.The World Health Organization declared a threat to the fever of the world.Whence came this deadly disease?The dangerous Ebola?The incubation period, symptoms, treatments and illness causes controversy today.
What is Ebola?
say for sure where it came from and how the virus first infected people they can not nobody.But he was born in Africa.For the first time to the fore in 1976.Thus, it is not a new virus.Back in 1976, outbreaks have been seen in several areas.However, to detect the virus in Zaire (today - the Congo) on the coast of the Ebola River.Hence it got its name.
Once in the body, the virus causes the disease, whose official name - Ebola haemorrhagic fever.Photo infected people simply appalling!The mortality rate reaches almost 90%.And the worst thing that victims of Ebola can not hope for saving vaccine.It simply does not exist.Even the treatment in question.A
new outbreak recorded in Guinea in December 2013.Infection with high swiftness began to spread to neighboring countries.Ebola patients were registered in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria.Over the history of the virus is the deadly outbreak.
infect people met not only in West Africa.Two American doctors, volunteers picked up the virus in the outbreak of fever.In the US, this has caused a real panic.After all, only one patient that the disease has spread rapidly across the country.
on doctor-patient with their full consent tested a new experimental drug.Drugs against Ebola virus - is to develop a biotech company in San Diego.As the human body reacts to the drug, did not even know the creators.After all, experiments were carried out solely on the monkeys.When all the signs of Ebola have poor fellows doctors were there, they were given an experimental drug.An hour later, the symptoms of fever began to decline.
infected with Ebola How?
suspected that the "parents" of the virus began to fruit bats (also called flying fox).Carriers may be monkeys (gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees), porcupine, forest antelope and other animals.
How is Ebola man?Initially it can be transmitted from an animal.The virus is transmitted through saliva and isolation.Thus, if a sick monkey scratched or bitten, the person gets infected.In addition, the risk group hunters butchered animal carcasses.
As people become infected with Ebola do not come into contact with animals?Unfortunately, only one person to pick up a deadly virus.And then it spreads along the chain.The virus is transmitted through blood and all body fluids.Thus, even while kissing can get a fatal illness.
Sometimes people even know how to become infected with Ebola, ill themselves.Sometimes, not noticing the tiniest wound is not visible to the naked eye, they picked up a virus.There are many cases of infection in Africa, from the dead.After all, even the body of the deceased is contagious.Can spread the virus and through contact with objects that have been infected by a sick person.
Symptoms of illness
Having an idea of how Ebola is transmitted, it is possible to recognize the typical signs of the disease.
So, originally developed as a disease of colds.At the initial stage characterized by the following signs of Ebola:
- raising the temperature to 39-40 degrees;
- muscle pain;
- dry cough, sore throat;
- chest pain;
- amimichnost face, sunken eyes.
further progression of the disease is characterized by new symptoms.She appears on the 2nd or 3rd day:
- abdominal pain;
- diarrhea with blood impurities.
On the third, sometimes fourth day clearly visible hemorrhagic syndrome.The whites of the eyes there is hemorrhaging.Skin, internal organs begin to bleed.
5-7-day presents morbilliform rash.Visually, it looks like the red spots.In this patient does not experience itching.Over time the rash appears at the site of peeling.The most susceptible to the defeat of the inner side of the thigh and shoulder.Patients observed lethargy, confusion.Sometimes the disease is manifested opposite symptom - agitated.
8-9 day extensive hemorrhage, toxic shock led to a sharp drop in blood pressure.At that time, death can occur.
If death avoided, improvement is observed in 10-12 day.The patient has normal temperature.The patient starts to go on the amendment.This process lasts for 2 to 3 months.
very important to understand in what period of time can manifest disease.Most sources believe that such a disease as Ebola, the incubation period is from 2 to 21 days.The average interval between infection and the onset of the process of the first symptoms ranges from 3 to 9 days.Typically, this time is enough to manifest in all ugliness Ebola.The incubation period is to be understood, yet takes up to 21 days.Therefore disease can occur in any of these days.
Absolutely no one can boast protected from the dreaded virus.However, there are categories of the population most at risk of infection:
- Doctors who by profession are forced to treat patients.
- Perhaps even more at risk of infected relatives.After all, they are being given the mission to care for the sick.
- a special category stand hunters.
initially analyzed epidemiological history.In other words, the fact of the patient is set in a disadvantaged area.We study the question of a possible contact with an infected person.If such a possibility exists, then it becomes questionable diagnosis of "Ebola".Incubation period as was noted above, is 21 days.At this time, the patient should be hospitalized.
During this period produced the following studies:
- Careful examination of complaints and patient history.Attention is paid to the time of temperature rise, massive bleeding, watery diarrhea with the presence of blood and so on.
- Virological diagnosis.We study biological fluids.From the blood, saliva and human isolated virus is introduced into the body of a laboratory animal.Behind him under surveillance to identify the characteristic development of the infectious process.
- Serological diagnosis.Using antibodies recognize pathogen virus.In the future, try to eliminate.
- Consultation infectious diseases.
fever Ebola patients compulsorily hospitalized in special boxes.By the treatment of such patients is allowed only by trained personnel.Unfortunately, not developed a clear program that allows you to defeat this disease as Ebola.Treatment involves the following:
- receive antivirals;
- administering to a donor immunoglobulin - protective body is taken from humans or horses who underwent disease, and therefore immune to the virus.
therapeutic treatment is reduced to combat symptoms:
- bed rest;
- eating digestible, semi-solid food;
- administration of glucose or saline solutions if the patient experienced heavy intoxication and dehydration;
- vitamin (ascorbic acid, B6, PP);
- transfusion of platelets (the donor) to normalize blood clotting;
- antipyretic drugs;
- dialysis - blood purification system of an artificial kidney from toxins that generates a virus;
- antibiotics in the development of complications of bacterial nature.
there a cure for Ebola?
This question hurts not only the patients themselves.He set the broad masses of the people, experiencing the fear of a possible epidemic.This goal scientists trying to protect the population in the face of danger.Although today there are questionable measures to combat disease such as Ebola, treatment, presumably, will soon be found.
Despite the fact that the official of the vaccine has not been registered, many potential drugs have been invented.A vivid confirmation of this is an experimental drug that has passed the test on the American doctors.Do not lag behind and the Canadian pharmaceutical corporation, to create a drug that can fight fever.
Russia also receded.Near Novosibirsk developing a test system that can diagnose a dangerous virus.It was there, in the center of science "Vector", is working on the creation of a unique vaccine against Ebola.Already, a new drug is tested on animals.However, they center staff keep all information confidential.
Thus, we hope that very soon a unique vaccine against the deadly fever will be presented to the masses of the population.
Prevention and recommendations
question of protecting the population from the deadly virus does not rise sharply.Indeed, to date not recorded a single confirmed case of infection in the country.However, to prevent should be familiar with some of the recommendations.They will properly and promptly take all necessary measures to avoid being victims of Ebola.
- In order to prevent the possibility of contracting a fever better to abandon a visit to the countries of Western and Central Africa.
- if necessary travel to the above areas should be used protective masks.It should try to avoid crowded places and if possible do not contact with sick people.
- terms of prevention should be constantly ventilate the room to make wet cleaning, carefully follow the rules of hygiene.It is not necessary to make purchases in unauthorized places of trade.
- case of suspected Ebola disease should wear a mask and seek immediate medical attention.
- When returning from a trip to experience symptoms, somewhat reminiscent of Ebola, you should promptly consult a specialist.The doctor must provide full information about the countries in which resides.Be sure to specify the timing of the trip.
recently are the Ebola virus was not clear, and she fever seemed something very distant: raging somewhere in Africa, take measures, the disease will stop.But news of the patients from the UK living with doctors from America made specific enough virus threat.
However, do not panic.Rospotrebnadzor says that Russians are not threatened epidemic.However, to travel to West Africa should be abandoned.But in other countries you can go without fear to bring terrible "souvenir".It carried out strict control measures are able to protect against the deadly virus.But on his return should carefully listen to your body.After an incubation period of unpleasant illness lasts 21 days.