Over the entire period of its existence, mankind has repeatedly found itself on the verge of extinction. The fragile health of homo sapiens was regularly exposed to various factors capable of wiping the human race off the face of the earth once and for all.
Through thorns - to evolution
The deadly plague, smallpox, human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS), cholera and other misfortunes mercilessly mowed people from century to century. In addition, natural disasters, such as tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, tried diligently, if not to destroy, then at least reduce the number of people. However, humanity has steadily balanced on the verge of life and death, successfully overcoming all the obstacles that stand in the way of its development.
Tiny human settlements gradually turned into megacities, space shuttles flew into space, Americans traveled to the moon, and scientists invented a huge amount of medicine for almost all diseases. In addition, vaccines that can recreate antibodies to diseases such as measles, toxoplasmosis, rubella, flu and so on occupy a special place in medicine.
Test of endurance
It would seem: people have gained a key to health and defeated insidious viruses. But it was not there! A new mortal danger has appeared, the name of which is Ebola. What is it: a mutated virus, the development of new biological weapons, an uninvited guest from outer space? Or maybe this mother nature takes revenge on mankind for cut down forests, polluted air and ruthlessly exterminated animals?
This article will tell you everything that is known about the Ebola virus: transmission routes, symptoms, course of the disease, vaccination and treatment options.
New danger
For the first time a deadly disease "lit up" in 1976, in Africa. Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever, the most dangerous virus against which there are no reliable vaccines or healing drugs. In the case of a disease, the probability of death is from 25 to 75 percent, moreover, if the Ebola virus is present in the body, the transmission of the infection occurs rather quickly.
Newly attacked at the time of its first appearance claimed the lives of 128 people in just a few weeks. The epidemic was stopped with the help of the most severe quarantine.
Since that time, the virus appeared periodically, but the foci of the disease quickly stopped by the already proven method of strict isolation of patients, eliminating any method of Ebola transmission.
Deadly threat
The largest outbreak of an Ebola epidemic in human history broke out in the fall of 2014 in three African locations: Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. In just four months, the virus killed 5,000 people, about the same number were infected, but miraculously survived.
Scientists from all over the world are studying the killer virus from all angles, but so far only the method of transmitting Ebola is known for certain. And this is a rather important discovery, thanks to which it is possible, if not to heal from a fever, then at least minimize its "journey" around the planet. After all, the worst thing in the Ebola virus is the transmission and spontaneous spread of infection. Quarantine is the only correct action to prevent the spread of infection. It is this measure that will stop such a terrible disease as Ebola fever. Methods of transmission can only be prevented if the foci of infection are isolated.
All the fault of the mouse
Ebola virus transmission occurs upon contact with the mucous membranes or fluids of an infected person or animal. The main carriers of this virus are bats, other animals (for example, monkeys and porcupines) become infected by contact with their saliva and feces.
Uninvited guest
The mechanism of Ebola transmission from animals to humans is triggered by direct human contact with the excretory system products (blood, mucus, lymph and urine) of the infected animal. Moreover, this applies not only to living representatives of the fauna, but also to those who died as a result of Ebola fever (transmission routes are preserved even after the death of the animal, even if the decomposition process has begun).
The virus freely penetrates the human body, the disease develops from 14 to 21 days, depending on the weakened immune system.
Another way to transmit Ebola is to eat the meat of an infected animal, especially if the meat is raw.
Virus features
When examining the virus under the microsocp, it turned out that it looks like long thick strings that first copy and multiply each other, and then, as it were, bind all the vital organs of the infected person. After this comes the next step that the Ebola virus is taking. Routes of transmission are blood vessels and the lymphatic system. Further development of the infection occurs in cells that produce protein. The invading virus begins to produce viral proteins, which in turn infect all other cells. Thus, the number of infected cells is growing exponentially.
Chain reaction
It would seem that Africa is very far away. Why is the World Health Organization sounding the alarm? Why is Ebola fever so dangerous for the whole world? Transmission of infection can occur from person to person, which means that in this way it can spread throughout the planet. In the absence of an effective vaccine and effective treatment, transmission of the Ebola virus along the chain "infected animal-man-man" threatens a global biological catastrophe, until the complete disappearance of humanity!
World Health Organization experts give disappointing predictions about possible epidemics, given how contagious Ebola is. The transmission methods are so vast and varied that, according to statistics, one sick person can infect two healthy people.
In a drop of liquid - death
Fortunately, the infection is not transmitted by airborne droplets, but this does not detract from the danger. The method of transmitting Ebola from an infected person to a healthy person is due to direct close contact with the body fluids of the infected person. Death is living in a drop of blood, urine, lymph, breast milk and seminal fluid of a patient.
But this is not all that the Ebola virus is capable of: the methods of transmission of infection are not limited to contact with the above secretions of the human body. It is transmitted through perspiration, mucous membranes, saliva and the secret of the genitals. With all this, the probability of contracting this infection threatens everyone who touched objects with which a sick person had contact with a fever.
It is extremely dangerous that a person remains a carrier of infection as long as his body contains viruses. It is important to know that a man’s sperm continues to contain the virus for another 50 days after recovery, therefore, in order to avoid infection of a healthy person with the Ebola virus, the transmission of which can be carried out through sexual intercourse, doctors strongly recommend that the recovering person refrain from any sexual relations for several months.
Self-preservation instincts
In order to avoid infection, and not to catch the Ebola virus, transmission routes should be minimized: people are strongly advised not to visit countries where the outbreaks are located. In addition, in no case should you come into contact with people who carry this infection.
Ebola fever, the transmission of which is carried out practically in any way, except for airborne droplets, is dangerous for a resident of any country.
Course of the disease
Particular insidiousness of this virus lies in the fact that the disease cannot be calculated instantly, since the symptoms of the initial stage are very similar to acute respiratory infections or SARS. How is everything going?
- At the initial stage of the disease, the temperature rises, the head hurts, the person feels malaise, muscle weakness and sore throat. All this looks like a classic sore throat or flu.
- Gradually, the disease progresses, nausea and vomiting begins, diarrhea, the skin is covered with a rash, the liver and kidneys can not cope with their functions, the virus gradually "turns off" the immune system of the body, thereby preventing it from fighting a destructive infection.
- The apotheosis of the disease is hemorrhagic syndrome: the patient begins to bleed lips, gums, eyes, skin, ears. In addition, bleeding develops in the internal organs.
- Death occurs 8-14 days after the onset of the disease. The cause of death is irreparable dehydration and a rapid increase in blood pressure.
Survival test
If you suspect a disease with Ebola, the transmission routes of which have a wide spectrum of action, it is strongly recommended that you consult a doctor who is required to conduct a series of tests to refute or confirm the presence of infection in the body.
To date, the most reliable way to detect Ebola is a polymerase chain reaction test , as a result of which specialists calculate the virus genome. Using this test, you can detect a disease at an early stage and try to stop its development.
Memo for healthcare providers
Health care providers should remember to carefully handle samples of biological fluids taken from patients with suspected Ebola virus: transmission methods in conjunction with “infected samples - unprotected health worker” are just as dangerous as direct contact with the patient. An example is the fact that at the time of this writing, 10 doctors have died in Africa.
It is very important for medical personnel to observe such precautions as:
- washing and treating hands with a disinfectant solution;
- wearing a medical antiviral mask and special protective clothing;
- use of personal protective equipment.
Treatment for "maybe"
As mentioned above, there is no guaranteed treatment and licensed vaccine for Ebola hemorrhagic fever as of December 2014. However, most recently in the United States, a newly invented vaccine was tested on 20 volunteers, the effect of which is to develop antibodies that can withstand the virus.
The main treatment consists of maintenance therapy:
- intravenous infusion of electrolyte solutions to prevent dehydration;
- body disinfection;
- support breathing and ventilation.
Thanks to these manipulations, it is possible to reduce the overall mortality rates by 10%, but it is not possible to cure all patients.
Unreasonable fears
The planet's population is extremely concerned about the possibility of outbreaks of the epidemic in all corners of the globe.
In addition, many are afraid that, like any virus, Ebola can evolve into an even more dangerous form, as a result of which it will begin to be transmitted by airborne droplets. Scientists argue that there are no prerequisites for the virus to suddenly begin to move through the air.
Investing in the future of mankind
Huge amounts of money are being allocated to develop vaccines and cures for the new threat. In particular, the United States funded $ 1,000,000, and also attracted about 3,000 of the best scientists to invent rid of the dangers looming over humanity. In addition, many countries in every way help Africa in the fight against the Ebola virus. Experts are convinced that if Ebola is not tamed over the course of the year, it will gradually spread everywhere.
Spoon of honey in a barrel with Ebola
Despite the enormous danger of the Ebola virus, there are some points that can make notes of peace. They are that:
- it’s not so easy for a virus to switch from one living organism to another, therefore, despite a large number of transmission methods, the virus spreads very slowly;
- diseases like influenza, measles and AIDS are spreading much faster than Ebola - and people still inhabit the Earth;
- in civilized countries, the danger of catching an infection is practically reduced to zero;
- today the total number of cases is extremely small - only 5,000 people (by the way, up to half a million people die every year from the commonplace flu in the world);
- in fact, mankind has already faced a similar disease and successfully defeated it: in 2008, the Marburg virus “visited” Europe - almost the Ebola twin brother in terms of distribution and symptoms;
- almost all the more or less significant airports are equipped with sanitary-medical centers that monitor newly arrived passengers.
To summarize, we can confidently admit: Ebola fever, the transmission of this disease and the consequences are scary, but only when basic sanitary standards are not respected. In civilized countries with a high level of medical care, the likelihood of an outbreak of the virus is almost zero.
In addition, a vaccine will surely be invented soon that protects people from a new threat.
In addition, medical research is moving forward by leaps and bounds - and it is likely that after a couple of decades there will not be a single sick person on the planet, and the Ebola virus will sink into oblivion.