Ebola Virus Disease - Deadly Acute Illness Since 1976 - Research Paper

Introduction

Ebola virus disease, also referred to as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is an acute sickness which is often deadly if untreated. The virus was first discovered in 1976 (Jin, 2014). The first outbreak was in south Sudan and DRC simultaneously.it is in the DRC that the virus got its name since it befell in a community around the Ebola River. The disease took the lead in its outbreak in 2014- 2016 in West Africa (Jin, 2014). During this period, the virus kicked off in Guinea and later dispersed through to Sierra Leon and Liberia. The recent outbreak in 2018- 2019 experienced in the eastern side of the democratic republic of Congo is highly complicated since insecurity has paved a way in affecting effective public health response activities (Jin, 2014). The Ebola virus is passed on to people through contact with wild animals in the rain forest. Infected by the virus. The animals include bats, porcupines, monkeys chimpanzees, and gorillas. The transmission channel among human beings is via human contact (Jin, 2014). It spreads when a human is exposed to a person who is infected through handling their blood or fluids from the body.

Moreover, touching contaminated surfaces and needles also leads to the spread of this deadly virus. It was also noted that the Ebola virus could not be spread through the air, water, or food. Ebola has had adverse impacts on a human being and also to nations affected by the virus. The overview intends to put across symptoms of the virus, its impacts on the human being, and its treatment.

Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease

During the primary stages of Ebola, flu-like symptoms occur. Other symptoms begin to crop up between two to twenty-one days after infections. However, it is good to note that a person who has Ebola but experiences no signs does not disperse the disease. Its symptoms include; fever, fatigue, sore throat, headaches, and muscle pain (Beeching, Fenech, and Houlihan, 2014). The sudden symptoms are then progressively followed by; vomiting, diarrhea, rash, external and internal bleeding in some cases, impaired liver and kidney function. Since the virus has symptoms related to those of diseases like cholera, malaria, and typhoid, it is hard to tell if a person has Ebola from the symptoms alone (Beeching, Fenech, and Houlihan, 2014). Blood and tissue tests can be used to diagnose Ebola. Pregnant women also have similar symptoms to those of Ebola, and due to this, it is recommended that they quickly get tested if Ebola is suspected. Once it is evident, a person has the Ebola virus, the victim is isolated immediately from the public to avert the spread.

Effects of Ebola Virus Disease to Human Body

After the Ebola disease establishes itself in the human body, it causes abnormalities in the human systems; therefore, interrupting the normal functioning of the body. Apart from damaging organs like the liver, it leads to the release of a large number of viruses, which lead to the damaging of vascular cells that form blood vessels. Continuous release of these viruses leads to cell damages, hence results in internal and external bleeding. If the bleeding is not controlled, it leads to blood and fluid loss, which can cause the death of the infected patient.

Treatment of Ebola Virus Disease

There is still no proven treatment available for EVD. The treatment used includes an experimental watery fluid rich in proteins [serum] that destroys infected cells (Kilgore et al., 2015). Moreover, doctors manage the symptoms with oxygen, electrolytes, medication for blood pressure, transfusions of blood, and intervention measures for other contagions.

In 2015, an experimental inoculation rVSV-ZEBOV proved protective against the Ebola virus. Recently the vaccine was used in the 2018- 2019 outbreak in DRC (Kilgore et al., 2015).

Control Measures of EVD

Having taken note of the adverse effects of the Ebola virus, effective control, measures need to be put in place to curb its spread. The best and most effective way to prevent the virus is by not accessing places that have the virus. It is by this simple act that the spread of the virus can be easily curbed. Avoiding contact with animals who are carriers of this virus would also go a long way in curbing the deadly virus.

Moreover, people should maintain high hygiene practices and also wear protective clothing to avoid contact with fluids and surfaces with the virus. Healthcare providers who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus should also wear masks, gloves, and goggles when handling patients to avoid contracting the virus (OE, 2015). Apart from that, guidelines should be put in place in the best way to handle dead bodies of patients with the virus to curb the spread of the virus. Raw meat from unknown sources should not be consumed. On the same note, raw meat should be cooked appropriately. Contact tracing of people who have crossed paths with individuals who are infected should be done to mitigate further spreading in society. Another vital aspect of mitigating the spread of the virus is by sensitizing the society members on avoiding social gatherings as this would go a long way in reducing the spread. Sexual activity should also be terminated or carried out in safer ways as the virus can spread through sexual fluids. Sexual activities can, however, continue after the victim's semen tests negative twice. Pregnant mothers should also visit health facilities often for check-ups and guidelines of proper management of their unborn children (OE, 2015). Breast milk should be tested to check for the virus in order not to pass it to the child.

Conclusion

Ebola virus disease requires community engagement to curb its outbreak and spread.Also, frequent testing whenever mild symptoms are noted is important. Management of the virus also should be every one responsibility in the fight to defeat the deadly virus.

References

Beeching, N. J., Fenech, M., & Houlihan, C. F. (2014). Ebola virus disease. Bmj, 349, g7348.

Jin, J., 2014. Ebola Virus Disease. JAMA, 312(18), p.1942.

Kilgore, P. E., Grabenstein, J. D., Salim, A. M., & Rybak, M. (2015). Treatment of Ebola virus disease. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 35(1), 43-53.

OE, J., 2015. Control of Ebola virus disease (EVD): An entry point for personal and environmental hygiene in the West African sub-region. International Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 06(03).