The Ebola Virus Disease

Answer

The Ebola Virus Disease

The Ebola viral disease (EVD) is among the health-related challenges that the world has experienced lately. The Ebola virus was responsible for infection of about 5,355 individuals and more than 2622 deaths in West Africa in 2014 (Chowell & Nishiura, 2014). As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease outbreak a public health emergency, stressing the need for international collaboration and attention in controlling it (World Health Organization, 2014). Similarly, 11 cases of EVD and two deaths were reported in the U.S. in the same year. In this case, nine of the victims had contacted the ailment outside the country while the remaining two were nurses who got it when taking care of EVD patients (Bausch & Schwarz, 2014). It is in the light of this context that this paper discuses the causes, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of EVD.

EVD is a severe and often fatal medical condition in humans. It was first identified in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976 (Gostin, Lucey, & Phelan, 2014). The disease is transmitted from one person to the other through direct contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. Studies have also shown that one can acquire the ailment through contact with infected wildlife such as the fruit bats, gorillas, and chimpanzees (Peters & Peters, 2013).  In this regard, the fruit bats are considered the original hosts of the Ebola virus. The virus can survive for hours in a dried state and for a few days within bodily fluids outside the human body (Gostin, Lucey, & Phelan, 2014). As a result, EVD can also be spread through contaminated needs and syringes.

Pathophysiology

EBOV can enter the body through a wound, cut or any other opening on the skin or body. It tends to replicate very effectively in a number of other cells within the body system thus producing numerous amounts of viruses in the monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages, just to mention a few (Peters & Peters, 2013). Once a person is infected by the Ebola virus, the immune cells carries it to the lymph nodes where it is reproduced and transported into the blood stream, as well as, the lymphatic system (Chowell & Nishiura, 2014). In this regard, the dysfunction in clotting and bleeding that is normally experienced by EVD patients is caused by the increased activation of the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade due to the excessive tissue factor production by the microphages following an infection.

Symptoms

EVD may present as other diseases such as malaria, cholera, and hemorrhagic fevers. The ailment often targets the blood and the immune system of the patients and has an incubation period of about 2-21 days (Uyeki et al., 2016). Some of the common clinical symptoms associated with EVD include intense weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms may be accompanied by both internal and external bleeding in some instances. In this regard, research has pointed out that almost 50 % of EVD cases usually result in internal and external bleeding within four to five days after the onset of symptoms (Chowell & Nishiura, 2014).  Similarly, the ailment has a high mortality rate of about 90 % which is caused by multiple organ failures, excessive bleeding, and severe dehydration, among other contributing factors.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of EVD shortly after infection can be quite challenging. This is because most of the symptoms that accompany the condition are similar to other diseases such as malaria, cholera, and typhoid fever, just to mention a few (Gostin, Lucey, & Phelan, 2014). In this case, there must be a combination of other EVD related signs and a possible exposure of the virus within 21 days before the onset of the symptoms (World Health Organization, 2014). Examples of possible, non-specific laboratory indicators of EVD include a low platelet count, abnormalities in blood clotting, and the detection of RNA, as well as EVD antibodies in the blood (Bausch & Schwarz, 2014). Individuals suspected to have EVD must, therefore, be isolated and evaluated thoroughly to ensure their safety and minimize the spread of the disease.

Treatment/ Management     

There is currently no approved treatment or cure for EVD. Patients can, however, be assisted through rehydration, proper nutrition, and medication to help manage the symptoms. In this case, the rehydration process may include oral or intravenous routes to help restore the lost fluids and electrolytes in the body (World Health Organization, 2014). Proper nutrition is also recommended to maintain normal blood volumes. Similarly, medication may be taken to minimize pain, diarrhea, and fever, as well as, treat any bacterial infection that may develop (Uyeki et al., 2016). Furthermore, dialysis may be needed for kidney failure and oxygen therapy to maintain an ideal oxygen status (Chowell & Nishiura, 2014). The recovery of patients is often determined by the responsiveness of their immune system and the quality of care they receive.

Prevention Strategies

There are various ways through which the infection and spread of EVD can be prevented. For instance, creating awareness concerning the causes and risk factors of the ailment is significant in minimizing the infections (World Health Organization, 2014). This can be achieved through health promotional campaigns as well as patient and public education. Similarly, individuals should be encouraged to report any suspected cases of infection to help contain and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus (Gostin et al., 2014). They should also be advised to cook all animal products thoroughly before consumption. Furthermore, healthcare providers are recommended to wear protective gloves and clothing when caring for infected patients and implement safe injection practices such as proper sterilization and sanitation (World Health Organization, 2014).  In other words, these practices have been proven to be effective in minimizing the spread and infections of EVD.

In conclusion, the Ebola virus disease is a severe condition that is caused by direct contact with contaminated blood or other bodily fluids. It can also be transmitted through contact with infected animals, particularly the fruit bat, gorilla, and chimpanzee. Some of the common symptoms associated with the malady include muscle pain, intense weakness, vomiting, and headaches, eventually, internal bleeding accompanied by coughing blood. Patients may also experience both internal and external bleeding in some instances. There is currently no known cure for EVD; however, the condition can be managed through rehydration, proper nutrition, and medication. Similarly, the disease can be prevented through public education and health promotional campaigns where populations are taught about the causes, risk factors, and how they can safeguard themselves from contracting EVD. Furthermore, healthcare providers are recommended to wear gloves and protective clothing when caring for infected patients, among other safety measures.