What is Ebola? Ebola fever: causes, symptoms, effects

Africa. Ebola fever. The speakers constantly report with alarm the appearance of another epidemic hotbed of fierce virus on our planet Earth, mercilessly carrying away thousands of lives. Under the name "Ebola" lies an extremely contagious disease with the highest mortality rate among contact and up to 90 percent among patients.

What is Ebola ?

Hemorrhagic fever is an acute viral disease caused by the virus of the Filovirus family, which has the ability to provoke severe bleeding in humans and certain subspecies of primates.

A bit of history

The pathogen was first isolated and discovered in the late 70s of the 20th century in Africa, in Zaire, near the water channel of the river of the same name, which later defined its name as "Ebola fever". Countries where epidemic foci were first registered, gave their name to numerous subtypes and mutations of the pathogen.

Outbreaks of the disease have been noted repeatedly, but the number of infected and dead did not pose a threat to the surrounding states until 2014. Since that time, the disease has penetrated many countries, creating a threat of a planetary scale (by definition, the leading scientific staff of WHO).

How can I get infected?

What is Ebola fever, it became a little understandable. But how to save yourself from such an insidious sore? It is known that for the development of pathology, direct contact with the carrier of the virus is necessary. And for this, at least until recently, it was required to go to the black continent, because Africa is the main natural custodian of such an infection.

It is noted that the increased humidity of local forest areas, as well as the western parts of the Pacific coast, creates favorable conditions for carriers of such diseases, including numerous primates, bats, antelopes and porcupines, often close to local aborigines. Given the high infectious ability of the pathogen, there is a slight insignificant contact with the patient's biological fluids, including blood, urine, saliva and other secretions.

The southern continent is famous for its specific funeral rites, as well as only partially and insufficiently observed rules of personal hygiene, illiteracy, including medical personnel, which also determines the predisposition of the majority of the population to infection with infectious diseases.

A typical clinic

The minimum time during which the symptoms of the disease can develop after direct contact with the patient, and the necessary quarantine measures last from several days to 3 weeks. If during this time there are characteristic signs, it is necessary to urgently beat the alarm and always seek medical help.

Clinically, fever is manifested by nonspecific reactions of the body to the introduction of antigen and the development of a rapid immunological response. Increased temperature, muscle aches and whole body, headache, sore throat, general weakness and weakness do not distinguish such a disease from beginning influenza or similar acute respiratory viral manifestations.

The main difference is the appearance in veins, urine, in vomit veins veins or drops of blood, as well as hemorrhagic rashes on the skin, sclera, intestines, which is due to the pathogenicity of the causative agent to the vascular endothelium and the development of internal or external bleeding, which is the main cause of death from the developed disease.

Detection of the disease

In addition to the development of a characteristic clinical picture, with the help of additional survey methods, it is possible to determine the specific antigenic structures typical for the Ebola virus, as well as the protective antibodies produced by the body. In addition to blood, samples of saliva and urine are tested. These are non-invasive survey methods used for screening the population and for rapid detection of the infected.

In laboratory tests of patients already suffering leukemia and thrombocytopenia, as well as cytolysis enzymes of hepatic cells, indicating the damage to this organ.

Treatment of hemorrhagic fever

Difficulties in managing the course of the disease once again show the wayward nature of such an infection as Ebola fever. News that the latest development of new vaccines to combat this dangerous pathology are just beginning to undergo clinical trials are disappointing.

As the main method of treatment, rehydration and detoxification therapy is currently used , restoring the disturbed water-electrolyte balance of the body. Preparations are administered either intravenously or orally, depending on the severity of the patient's condition.

Experiments created on the basis of immune sera do not achieve the proper clinical effect. To obtain an effective and safe drug it may take some time, which further depresses the mood and frightens the public consciousness, because it has been known about Ebola fever for more than 30 years, but an effective remedy for it has not yet been obtained.

Precautions against epidemic spread

It is important to remember that all known especially dangerous infections need to be quickly and efficiently localized. The Ebola fever referred to above also applies, the latest recommendations regarding which must be strictly observed.

Quarantine isolation measures for all contact persons, as well as hospital staff, must be fully implemented. All contaminated materials, including clothing, linen, personal care items, and medical supplies such as syringes, droppers, gloves and similar items, should be disinfected or disposed of as far as possible in accordance with sanitary requirements.

And, of course, it is necessary to inform the population in time and in full about what kind of ailment this is - Ebola fever. The latest news regarding all aspects of this issue, as well as the possible threat and recommendations for protection from infection with the virus, will be extremely useful, especially to the inhabitants of African countries.

Should I be afraid of an epidemic in Russia?

According to domestic virologists, Ebola fever in Russia will not spread. Even when entering the infection in the territory of our homeland, Russians have no reason to worry about the probability of an epidemic. Of course, tourist routes are laid and directed to the infected countries, which, of course, should be taken into account when planning a future vacation abroad.

At the borders, measures to control newcomers, especially from the dangerous zones of Africa, are strengthened.

The doctors are warned and trained to identify the sick. There are developments in obtaining vaccines and medicines to combat the pathogen. In other words, the fever of Ebola in Russia will get a hard rebuff, she will not be allowed to fly around the country.

To rest or not to rest, is that the question?

Tourism, often the main source of income for the state budget, is the determining reason why many countries do not want to close or restrict entry. Of course, this applies, first of all, to Liberia, Tunisia and a number of other "diseased" states.

However, do not forget about the typical Russian resort destinations, also located in Africa. Probably many are interested in the question of whether there is a fever in Ebola in Egypt. According to the latest statements of the local government, outbreaks of such an epidemic have not yet been noted. To prevent them, there are complexes of measures and rigid restrictions.

To go or pass a ticket, everyone determines independently. After a preliminary examination to determine possible deviations in health status, with strict adherence to hygiene rules, preventive and timely administration of antiviral drugs, the risk of infection can be minimized. Especially since the fever of Ebola in Egypt was not observed.

What is the prognosis for life?

Having thoroughly studied the history of the issue (what is Ebola's fever, what is its clinic and the consequences of arising violations), one can understand why the International Organization for Healthcare recognized the epidemic that arose on the hot continent as an emergency situation for the whole world. And in modern conditions of international travel and contacts, restraining the boundaries of the spread of such a contagion becomes practically impossible.

High mortality rates, high virulence, the lack of adequate means and methods of helping patients frighten and resemble the plots of disaster movies with a sad end, especially the stories of biological weapons that have escaped control. And if you take into account that the history of mankind is moving in a spiral, and approximately at the beginning of the last century millions of lives were taken away by the Spaniard, you will involuntarily believe in the theory of natural selection. The only hope is placed on scientists who have repeatedly saved the world population from deadly factors of various kinds. Well, for now, it only remains to think about the good, listen to Kornei Ivanovich Chukovsky's instructions and sing quietly: "Africa is terrible, yes-yes-yes! Africa is dangerous, yes-yes-yes! Do not go to Africa, children, never! "

Instead of an epilogue

It should be added that, according to the latest WHO data from the end of October 2014, Nigeria officially declared victory over such a disease as Ebola fever. News, as well as such statements, are based on the fact that for more than 40 days in the country there have been no new outbreaks of this ailment. About a week before this, the spread of the pathogen was discontinued in Senegal. Summarizing all of the above, you can confirm that any pathology can and should be resisted. And such difficult periods in the development of mankind will enter the history of epidemiology, allowing in the future to take into account all the mistakes and shortcomings and not allowing pathogens to prevail over a reasonable person.