Ebola Diagnosis

When making an Ebola diagnosis, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam. Diagnosing Ebola early can be difficult, due to the fact that the early symptoms of Ebola can be similar to those seen with other medical conditions. The doctor may order lab tests that can identify the virus itself or antibodies that the body makes to fight the Ebola virus.

Ebola Diagnosis: An Overview

In order to make an Ebola diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions, including questions about:
 
  • Symptoms
  • Current medical conditions
  • Family history of medical conditions
  • Current medications.
     
The doctor will also perform a physical exam looking for signs and symptoms of Ebola. If the doctor suspects an Ebola virus infection, he or she will order labs tests that can identify the virus itself or antibodies made by the body against the Ebola virus.
 

Challenges of Diagnosing Ebola

Diagnosing Ebola hemorrhagic fever early in an individual can be difficult. A person who has been infected only a few days will have early Ebola symptoms, such as red eyes and a skin rash, that are not specific to the Ebola virus and are seen in other patients with conditions that occur much more frequently.
 
Other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms to Ebola include:
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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