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What is Ebola, and How Do I Avoid It?

May 12, 2020

India has a population of more than 1.25 billion people, and more than 45,000 Indians currently live in the four Ebola-infected West African countries. These figures tell their own story. In a country as large and populous as India, it is nearly impossible for authorities to organize suitable isolation facilities and take all necessary steps in case of an Ebola epidemic.

Following the directive sent from the World Health Organization (WHO), the government has undertaken certain measures to prevent an outbreak in India. You, too, must follow proper precautions to inform and protect your loved ones from this deadly virus.

 

IS IT EBOLA?

Common symptoms To watch out for – Sudden fever, severe body weakness, muscle ache, headache and sore throat.

Advanced symptoms to worry about – Vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver movement, and in some patients, both internal and external bleeding.

In Blood Tests, look for low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

Is it malaria or Ebola? – Yes, the initial symptoms of Ebola are non-specific and can be easily misdiagnosed as a number of other illnesses such as malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, plague, meningitis, hepatitis and viral hemorrhagic fevers. Your doctors must rule out all these possibilities by conducting the tight tests before he/she declares an attack of the Ebola virus.

What steps can I follow for quick action in case of an infection?

The time frame from the moment the virus enters the blood stream to the onset of symptoms can range from 2 to 21 days. Ensure that you seek immediate treatment if you have any suspicious about getting infected by the same.

As soon as you suspect Ebola, call a doctor. Do not delay action – the earlier the physician can help you, the better.

 

HOW TO TREAT EBOLA?

A patient in the absolute throes of the disease needs intensive care. This person must be continuously given ORS and other solutions having electrolytes or intravenous fluids to avoid severe dehydration.

For further details speak to your doctor. Doctors strongly advise family members and communities not to care for Ebola patients at home. Rather, seek treatment immediately from qualified doctors and nurses.

 

CAN I PREPARE FOR EBOLA?

With no possibility of any effective cure and vaccination for Ebola, knowing the risks involved and the correct ways to shield your system is a must – Be watchful. Understand the symptoms. Look out.

  • Quarantine immediately – If a person is supposed as Ebola infection, then the person and the premises needs to be quarantined immediately.
  • How does the Ebola virus spread? – In spite of the popular belief, the Ebola virus is not airborne but rather enters a person’s blood stream through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or any other bodily fluid of the infected person.

 

THE GOVERNMENT’S HERE TO HELP YOU:

  • Government Helpline – You can call the Health Ministry’s official help lines of 23063205, 23061469 and 23061302 to clarify any queries or share your concerns.
  • Issued Travel Advisory – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all international airlines to follow precautionary measures with immediate effect such as in-flight announcement of self-reporting by travellers, submitting information regarding a visit to any affected country during the past 21 days with symptoms on arrival, etc. So do your bit too.

 

This information has been provided by Healthspring Community Medical Centres.

 

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