Ebola

Ebola is a disease caused by a deadly viral infection that can cause fever, diarrhea, and bleeding in a patient's body. Only 10% of Ebola survives from this viral infection, but this disease is rare.

So far, there have been no cases of Ebola in Indonesia. However, vigilance and prevention measures against diseases in the African continent still need to be taken. One solution is to maintain cleanliness and adopt a healthy lifestyle every day.

Ebola transmission

The spread of Ebola is thought to arise from interactions between humans and infected animals, such as bats, monkeys, or chimpanzees. Since then, transmission of the virus has begun to occur among humans. Patients' blood or body fluids can enter other people's bodies through wounds to the skin or inner lining of the nose, mouth and rectum. Expected body fluids include saliva, vomiting, sweat, breast milk, urine, feces and sperm.

Ebola can also be transmitted through contact with objects that are contaminated with body fluids, such as clothing, sheets, bandages and syringes. However, the Ebola virus is not transmitted through mosquito bites or air. Ebola sufferers cannot transmit the virus to others before symptoms of the disease appear.

Someone on the verge of contracting the Ebola virus is caused by several factors, namely:

• Traveling to countries affected by the Ebola virus, such as Sudan, Congo, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
• Medical staff may be infected if they do not wear protective clothing when treating Ebola patients.
• Family members who live at home with patients can become ill if they care for them
• Animal researchers may be infected with the Ebola virus, especially when conducting research on primates imported from Africa.
• Preparing for the funeral of the Ebola victim. The body of a patient with Ebola is still at risk of transmitting it. Funerals must be handed over to those who have been specially trained to care for the bodies of Ebola victims.

Ebola symptoms
The initial symptoms of the Ebola virus are fever, headache, cold, muscle and joint pain, and the body feels weak. These first symptoms appear between 2 and 21 days after contact with the patient. Over time, symptoms will get worse, including:

• Rashes appear.
• Red eye.
• Sore throat.
• Chest pain.
• Heartburn.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea can be accompanied by blood.
• Drastic weight loss.
• Blood comes out of the mouth, nose, eyes or ears.

Transmission of the Ebola virus occurs very quickly and is fatal. If you or your family member has these symptoms, immediately visit the nearest hospital for treatment and examination.
Ebola diagnosis

Ebola is a disease that is difficult to detect because symptoms that appear are almost similar to other infectious diseases, such as influenza, malaria or typhus. When diagnosed with Ebola, the doctor will do a blood test to detect antibodies formed by the body in response to the Ebola virus. Blood tests are also carried out to see which bodily functions are impaired by Ebola, such as:

• Blood cell count
• Liver function
• Blood clotting function

If it is suspected to be infected with the Ebola virus, the patient will undergo intensive treatment in a hospital isolation room to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ebola treatment

The treatment steps taken are only intended to control symptoms and help the patient's immune system fight the virus. Indeed, no cure against the Ebola virus has been found to date. Some supportive care steps that can be done, namely:

• Liquid infusion to prevent dehydration.
• Medications against hypertension to reduce blood pressure.
• Oxygen supplements to maintain the flow of oxygen throughout the body.
• Blood transfusion if lacking blood (anemia).

People infected with the Ebola virus will undergo a recovery period of several months, until the disappearance of the virus. During the recovery period, sufferers will know:

• Hair loss
• jaundice
• Nerve disorders
• Excessive fatigue
• Eye and testicular inflammation

Patient recovery will depend on the immune system, speed of treatment and response to treatment. Patients who recover will be immunized against this virus for around 10 years.
Ebola Complications

Every patient has a different immune system response to the Ebola virus. Some patients can recover from Ebola without complications, but some may have life-threatening diseases, such as:

• convulsions
• point
• Heavy bleeding
• shock
• Malfunctioning of bodily organs

Prevention of Ebola

Ebola vaccine has not been found. The best way to prevent Ebola is to avoid visiting countries or regions with Ebola history. However, if you plan to visit the country affected by Ebola, there are several steps you can take:

• Keep your hands clean by washing your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Avoid direct contact with people who have a fever and are suspected of having Ebola symptoms.
• Avoid touching objects that are contaminated with blood or body fluids in people with Ebola.
• Avoid direct contact with bats and primates which can transmit viruses, including blood, feces, and meat.
• Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are treated.
• Seek medical attention immediately after returning from the area for possible Ebola symptoms.

For medical staff, several preventive steps can be taken to minimize the risk of transmission of the Ebola virus, namely:

• Use personal protective equipment, including protective clothing (aprons), masks, gloves, and eye protection, when you have Ebola.
• Be careful when taking blood or body fluid samples and inserting an IV or catheter
• Always wash your hands, especially after touching the patient or objects around the patient.
• Dispose of disposable medical devices immediately, such as syringes, at the specified location.
• Avoid direct contact with a person's body with Ebola.

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