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What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Signs and symptoms of Ebola initially resemble those of influenza. They usually appear any time from 2 to 21 days after infection, though the most common time frame is 8 to 10 days. An infected person is normally not contagious to others until symptoms start. Ebola symptoms include fever, headache, confusion, sore throat, stiff and painful muscles and joints, weakness and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, further symptoms appear, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, reddish eyes, widespread, bloody rash, reddish-purple spots on the skin (ecchymosis), bleeding from the mouth and a red-colored palate, bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, sensitive skin (painful to the touch), kidney and liver failure, coma and death.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is Ebola?

Ebola, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola virus disease, is a potentially fatal, infectious disease.

What causes Ebola?

Ebola fever is caused by the Ebola virus. It infects many kinds of cells of the human body and can cause internal bleeding and organ failure.

Who gets Ebola?

Anyone can become infected with Ebola if exposed to the virus.

Is Ebola contagious?

Ebola is a contagious disease. At present, the transmission rate of the virus is low.

How is Ebola spread?

The Ebola virus passes from person to person via bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions, urine, feces, vomit, mucous and tears. You can also become infected by coming into contact with infected animals or eating their meat. The virus can …

How is Ebola diagnosed?

If Ebola is suspected by its clinical symptoms, a blood test will be performed to look for the virus or antibodies to it.

How is Ebola treated?

At present, there is no specific treatment for Ebola. A person suspected of being infected will be quarantined to prevent further spread and will receive supportive treatment. It is particularly important to seek treatment as early as possible: early treatment of …

Can Ebola be prevented?

The best way of preventing Ebola is to avoid close contact with people who have the disease.

Are there different types of Ebola?

There are five strains of the Ebola virus, four of which are dangerous to people.

Will Ebola keep coming back?

If you have recovered from Ebola fever, you are immune to that strain of the virus. On a public health perspective, future outbreaks of Ebola may occur.

What is the outcome for Ebola?

In previous outbreaks of Ebola, the mortality rate was as high as 90%. In the 2014 epidemic, the mortality rate was about 53%.

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About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 28 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Votes: 300 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: SARS

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