Term:
Ebola Virus
Description:
The Ebola virus belongs to the family Filoviridae. Ebola Virus, common name for several strains of virus, three of which are known to cause hemorrhagic fever in humans, which is characterized by massive bleeding and destruction of internal tissues.
Symptoms:
hemorrhagic fever, which is characterized by such symptoms as severe headache, weakness, and muscle aches, followed by vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis), inflammation of the mucous membranes in the eye (conjunctivitis), bleeding from body openings, and, often, destruction of internal tissues. Rapid viral replication in infected cells is the direct cause of cell and tissue destruction. The onset of illness is sudden, and the disease often progresses swiftly to extreme exhaustion (prostration), dehydration, and death. The time from exposure to the onset of illness is usually less than two weeks, and the time from onset of illness until death or improvement is usually seven to ten days.
Treatment:
Currently consists of preventing shock and providing supportive care.
*You should always seek a professional physician's
advice before trying to administer any type of treatment.
Picture:
Please contact our Physician Referral Service
at (702) 383-1904.
* All material provided in the UMC website,
or it's related web pages, is provided for educational purposes
only. Consult your own physician, or visit a UMC Primary
Care, regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations
with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
