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The initial symptoms of Ebola appear around 21 days after exposure to the virus and the main ones are fever, headache, general malaise and tiredness, which can easily be mistaken for a simple flu or cold.
However, as the virus multiplies, other signs and symptoms may appear that are more specific to the disease, such as:
- Seasickness;
- Sore throat;
- Persistent cough;
- Frequent vomiting, which may contain blood;
- Frequent diarrhea, which may contain blood;
- Bleeding in the eyes, nose, gums, ear and private parts.
- Blood spots and blisters on the skin, in various parts of the body.
Ebola infection should be suspected when the person 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. Find out how Ebola came about and what types.
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 more than one laboratory test. Thus, the result is said to be positive when the presence of the virus is identified through more than one laboratory test.
In addition to the tests, it is important that the diagnosis takes into account the signs and symptoms presented by the person 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 medicines 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 prevent 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.