What Are the Causes of Ebola? There is only one cause of Ebola. The cause of Ebola is an infection with the Ebola virus. There are no other causes of Ebola. Causes of Ebola: The Ebola Virus The Ebola virus got its name from a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously Zaire), in Africa, where the disease was first acknowledged. Ebola virus is one of two members of a family of RNA viruses known as Filoviridae. There are four identified subtypes of Ebola virus. Three of the four have caused disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire Ebola-Sudan Ebola-Ivory Coast. The fourth Ebola virus subtype, Ebola-Reston, it has caused disease in nonhuman primates (gorillas, chimps ect) but not in humans. The exact origin, locations, and natural habitat of Ebola virus remain unknown; however, on the basis of available evidence, and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the Ebola virus lives in an animal host that is native to the African continent. They continue to search for the exact animal. Just as scientists are unsure of the animal host for the Ebola virus, they are also unsure how an outbreak of Ebola virus occurs. Researchers have hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected with Ebola virus through contact with an infected animal. Causes of Ebola: Transmission Once Ebola virus infects the first human, scientists do know how Ebola virus is spread from human to human. Transmission of Ebola occurs through direct contact with patients who have Ebola, or their body fluids (such as blood or secretions). The spread of Ebola most often occurs during the late stages of an Ebola infection. When someone becomes infected with Ebola, he or she will not feel sick immediately. For 2 to 21 days, the person feels normal; however, inside his or her body, the Ebola virus is multiplying. This period between transmission of the virus and the beginning of Ebola symptoms is called the Ebola incubation period. Symptoms Ebola Symptoms: An Overview When a person becomes infected with Ebola virus, the virus begins to multiply within the body. After four to six days on average, Ebola symptoms can begin. The period between infection with the virus and the start of Ebola symptoms is called the incubation period. The Ebola incubation period can be anywhere between two and twenty-one days. Common Ebola Symptoms The start of Ebola symptoms are quite often abrupt. Common Ebola symptoms can include: Fever Sore throat Weakness Severe headache Joint and a muscle aches Vomiting Dehydration Dry, hacking cough Stomach pain. A rash, red eyes, hiccups, and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients. When the rash develops on dark skin, it is often not recognized until the rash begins to peel. In pregnant women, abortion (miscarriage) and heavy vaginal bleeding are common Ebola symptoms. Death usually occurs during the second week of Ebola symptoms. Death in Ebola victims is usually from massive blood loss. In cases of Ebola, symptoms typically begin to develop within about four to six days of being infected. Symptoms of Ebola commonly include such things as fever, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, stomach pain, and a dry, hacking cough. Death usually occurs during the second week of Ebola symptoms, most often as a result of massive blood loss. When making an Ebola diagnosis, the doctor will ask about the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam. Diagnosing Ebola early can be difficult, due to the fact that the early symptoms of Ebola can be similar to those seen with other medical conditions. The doctor may order lab tests that can identify the virus itself or antibodies that the body makes to fight the Ebola virus. Ebola Diagnosis: An Overview In order to make an Ebola diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions, including questions about: Symptoms Current medical conditions Family history of medical conditions Current medications. The doctor will also perform a physical exam looking for signs and symptoms of Ebola. If the doctor suspects an Ebola virus infection, he or she will order labs tests that can identify the virus itself or antibodies made by the body against the Ebola virus. Challenges of Diagnosing Ebola Diagnosing Ebola hemorrhagic fever early in an individual can be difficult. A person who has been infected only a few days will have early Ebola symptoms, such as red eyes and a skin rash, that are not specific to the Ebola virus and are seen in other patients with conditions that occur much more frequently. Other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms to Ebola include: Influenza (the flu) Other viral hemorrhagic fevers. For people with Ebola, treatment involves providing relief of Ebola symptoms while the body fights the infection. This type of treatment is known as supportive care. Ebola treatment can involve the use of intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and oxygen. Treatment may also include the use of medications to control fever, help the blood clot, and maintain blood pressure. Even with such supportive care, death occurs in 50 to 90 percent of people with Ebola. Advertisement {draw:frame} Ebola Treatment: An Overview Supportive Care as Ebola Treatment Outcome Following Ebola Treatment Ebola Causes of Ebola Ebola Virus Ebola Outbreaks Transmission of Ebola Ebola Incubation Period Ebola Symptoms Ebola Diagnosis Ebola Treatment Ebola Prevention Ebola Cure Ebola Vaccine Ebola Research Ebola Treatment: An Overview There are currently no proven Ebola treatment options that can kill the Ebola virus. Ebola treatment focuses on providing relief of Ebola symptoms as the body fights the virus. This is called supportive care. Supportive Care as Ebola Treatment Ebola treatment can include supportive care such as: Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain fluids and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) Oxygen and devices that help with breathing Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections from bacteria Good nursing care. Outcome Following Ebola Treatment Death occurs in 50 to 90 percent of Ebola cases. Ebola research scientists do not understand why some patients are able to recover from Ebola hemorrhagic fever and others are not; however, it is known that Ebola victims usually have not developed a significant immune response to the Ebola virus at the time of death. For people with Ebola, treatment involves providing relief of Ebola symptoms while the body fights the infection. This type of treatment is known as supportive care. Ebola treatment can involve the use of intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and oxygen. Treatment may also include the use of medications to control fever, help the blood clot, and maintain blood pressure. Even with such supportive care, death occurs in 50 to 90 percent of people with Ebola. Advertisement {draw:frame} Ebola Treatment: An Overview Supportive Care as Ebola Treatment Outcome Following Ebola Treatment Ebola Causes of Ebola Ebola Virus Ebola Outbreaks Transmission of Ebola Ebola Incubation Period Ebola Symptoms Ebola Diagnosis Ebola Treatment Ebola Prevention Ebola Cure Ebola Vaccine Ebola Research Ebola Treatment: An Overview There are currently no proven Ebola treatment options that can kill the Ebola virus. Ebola treatment focuses on providing relief of Ebola symptoms as the body fights the virus. This is called supportive care. Supportive Care as Ebola Treatment Ebola treatment can include supportive care such as: Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain fluids and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) Oxygen and devices that help with breathing Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections from bacteria Good nursing care. Outcome Following Ebola Treatment Death occurs in 50 to 90 percent of Ebola cases. Ebola research scientists do not understand why some patients are able to recover from Ebola hemorrhagic fever and others are not; however, it is known that Ebola victims usually have not developed a significant immune response to the Ebola virus at the time of death. Ebola Cure There is no Ebola cure other than time. When symptoms of Ebola begin, healthcare providers can only offer supportive care while the body attempts to fight the infection. Despite this care, death still occurs in 50 to 90 percent of cases. Scientists are actively researching a new Ebola vaccine. While this vaccine will not be an Ebola cure, it could prevent Ebola hemorrhagic fever from developing in the first place. Advertisement {draw:frame} Ebola Cure: An Overview Time as an Ebola Cure What About Using a Vaccine as an Ebola Cure? Ebola Causes of Ebola Ebola Virus Ebola Outbreaks Transmission of Ebola Ebola Incubation Period Ebola Symptoms Ebola Diagnosis Ebola Treatment Ebola Prevention Ebola Cure Ebola Vaccine Ebola Research Ebola Cure: An Overview There is only one Ebola cure: time. There are currently no proven Ebola treatment options that can kill the Ebola virus. And while researchers are working on an Ebola vaccine to prevent infections, it is still being tested in clinical trials. Time as an Ebola Cure When a person is infected with Ebola virus, he or she will not feel sick for anywhere from several days to a few weeks. When Ebola symptoms do begin, healthcare providers can only offer supportive care. Supportive care refers to treating symptoms and complications of the virus. Supportive care for Ebola can include: Intravenous (IV) fluids to maintain fluids and electrolytes Oxygen and devices that help with breathing Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections from bacteria Good nursing care. Despite supportive care, death occurs in between 50 to 90 percent of Ebola patients. What About Using a Vaccine as an Ebola Cure? Ebola research scientists are actively researching a new Ebola vaccine. While this vaccine will not be an Ebola cure, it could prevent Ebola hemorrhagic fever from developing in the first place. The Ebola vaccine is currently being tested in clinical trials. Ebola Vaccine There is not yet a licensed Ebola vaccine for humans; however there is an Ebola vaccine that has been shown to be effective in monkeys. If this vaccine proves to be similarly effective in humans, it may one day allow scientists to quickly contain Ebola outbreaks. The trial Ebola vaccine is similar to other investigational vaccines that hold promise for controlling such diseases as AIDS, influenza, malaria, and hepatitis. Advertisement {draw:frame} Ebola Vaccine: An Overview Ebola Vaccine in Monkeys Ebola Vaccine in Humans Ebola Causes of Ebola Ebola Virus Ebola Outbreaks Transmission of Ebola Ebola Incubation Period Ebola Symptoms Ebola Diagnosis Ebola Treatment Ebola Prevention Ebola Cure Ebola Vaccine Ebola Research Ebola Vaccine: An Overview Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a highly contagious disease that causes death in up to 90 percent of those infected with Ebola virus. Furthermore, there is no Ebola treatment that will cure the infection once it begins; therefore preventing the spread of the virus is crucial to containing Ebola outbreaks. This is one reason why Ebola research scientists are actively studying a possible Ebola vaccine. At this point, there is not a licensed Ebola vaccine for humans; however, there is an Ebola vaccine that has shown to be effective in monkeys. Ebola Vaccine in Monkeys Based on recent research findings, a single shot of a fast-acting, experimental Ebola vaccine successfully protected monkeys from the deadly Ebola virus after only one month. If this vaccine proves to be similarly effective in humans, it may one day allow scientists to quickly contain Ebola outbreaks with ring vaccination, which is the same strategy that was successfully used in the past against smallpox, according to a study published in Nature. http://ebola.emedtv.com/ebola/ebola-vaccine-p2.html