Background on Ebola

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Description of Articles in Background on Ebola

Ebola is a potentially fatal contagious illness caused by infection with a virus. This eMedTV article offers an overview of Ebola, including information about the cause, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of this illness.

As this eMedTV segment explains, the causes of Ebola in humans involve infection with the Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, or Ebola-Ivory Coast subtypes of the Ebola virus. This article explains how Ebola is transmitted from one human to another.

The Ebola virus is the cause of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (also known as Ebola). As this eMedTV page explains, this virus was first recognized in Africa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This page offers an overview of the Ebola virus.

Since 1976, Ebola outbreaks have occurred sporadically, mostly in Africa. This portion of the eMedTV archives provides detailed information about the confirmed Ebola outbreaks that have occurred since the virus was first recognized.

As this eMedTV resource explains, transmission of Ebola among humans occurs through direct contact with an infected person or his or her body fluids. This article also discusses why outbreaks of Ebola tend to spread quickly in African hospitals.

The Ebola incubation period (time between infection and the onset of symptoms) ranges from 2 to 21 days. This eMedTV article discusses the incubation period for Ebola, which runs from four to six days on average.

For people with Ebola, symptoms commonly include fever, sore throat, weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. This eMedTV resource identifies common symptoms of Ebola, which typically appear within four to six days after infection.

A doctor will often perform a physical exam and order lab tests to make an Ebola diagnosis. This eMedTV resource describes the challenges involved in diagnosing Ebola in its early stages, when its symptoms are similar to those of other conditions.

Ebola treatment usually consists of providing supportive care while the body fights the infection. This eMedTV segment describes aspects of treatment for Ebola, which may include antibiotics, oxygen, IV fluids, and good nursing care.

Ebola prevention involves avoiding direct contact with those who are infected. This eMedTV article explains the challenges inherent in preventing Ebola and stresses the importance of using proper barrier techniques at healthcare facilities.

There is no Ebola cure that can kill the virus responsible for the disease. This eMedTV Web page explains how supportive care is used to treat symptoms of the disease while the body fights the infection; work on a new Ebola vaccine is also discussed.

An experimental Ebola vaccine has been shown to be effective in monkeys. However, as explained on this eMedTV Web page, more research needs to be done before such an Ebola vaccine is licensed for use in humans.

Current Ebola research includes a study on an experimental vaccine that may prevent the virus. This eMedTV article looks at research now under way to better understand and treat Ebola, such as studies of new diagnostic tools.