Treatments for Ebola

Treatments cannot kill the virus that causes Ebola; instead, they focus on providing relief of the symptoms. These options can include oxygen, IV fluids, good nursing care, antibiotics, and other medications. Even when these Ebola treatments are administered, death still occurs in 50 to 90 percent of cases.

Ebola Information

An Introduction to Treatments for Ebola

There are currently no proven treatments that can kill the Ebola virus. Thus, treatments for Ebola focus on providing relief of symptoms as the body fights the virus. This is called supportive care.

Ebola Treatments Involving Supportive Care

Treatments for Ebola may include:

Oxygen and devices that help with breathing
Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections from bacteria
Medications to control fever, help the blood clot, and maintain blood pressure
Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain fluids and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride)
Good nursing care.

What Is the Outcome Following Treatment for Ebola?

Even with these Ebola treatments, death still occurs in 50 to 90 percent of cases. Ebola research scientists do not understand why some people are able to recover from the hemorrhagic fever and others are not; however, it is known that people with this condition usually have not developed a significant immune response to the Ebola virus at the time of death.