Cure for Ebola

There is no cure for Ebola that kills the Ebola virus. Once symptoms of Ebola begin, healthcare providers can only offer supportive care while the body fights the infection. Still, between 50 and 90 percent of people with Ebola die as a result of the disease. Scientists are working on a new Ebola vaccine, and while this vaccine would not be a cure for Ebola, it could prevent Ebola hemorrhagic fever from developing in the first place.

 

Cure for Ebola: An Introduction

There is only one cure for Ebola: time. There is currently neither an Ebola vaccine to prevent an infection, nor any proven Ebola treatment options that can kill the Ebola virus.
 
Time as a Cure for Ebola
When a person is infected with the Ebola virus, the person will not feel sick for several days to a few weeks. Healthcare providers can only offer supportive care once symptoms begin. Supportive care involves treating symptoms and complications of Ebola patients. Supportive care for Ebola can include:
 
  • Good nursing care
  • Oxygen and devices that help with breathing
  • Medications to control fever, help the blood clot, and maintain blood pressure
  • Antibiotics to prevent the development of secondary infections from bacteria
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain fluids and electrolytes.
     
Death still occurs in between 50 to 90 percent of Ebola patients, even with supportive care.
 
Vaccine as a Cure for Ebola
Ebola research scientists have been working on a new Ebola vaccine. While this vaccine will not be a cure for Ebola, it could prevent Ebola hemorrhagic fever from developing in the first place. The Ebola vaccine is currently being tested in clinical trials.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD