One year ago, there was an Ebola epidemic outbreak scare in Dallas Texas. Today, we have gained great strides to control an epidemic and scientists have formulated a vaccine. Watch new clip below

What are Viruses?  A virus is a small infectious agent.  Viruses are considered particles, nonliving structures.  Viruses depend on the host cells that they infect to reproduce.  A virus is a small infectious agent.  Viruses are considered particles, nonliving structures.  Viruses depend on the host cells that they infect to reproduce.

Basic Make-up of Viruses  Genetic Material (DNA or RNA)  Surrounded by a protein shell called a capsid.  In some viruses, the capsid itself is surrounded by a lipid envelope. Protective outer coat of a virus, from which spiky structures of proteins and sugars may stick out.  Genetic Material (DNA or RNA)  Surrounded by a protein shell called a capsid.  In some viruses, the capsid itself is surrounded by a lipid envelope. Protective outer coat of a virus, from which spiky structures of proteins and sugars may stick out.

Ebola Virus Ebola is a filamentous, single-stranded RNA virus with an unusual, variable-length, branched morphology. The helical capsid is enclosed inside a membrane. Dr Ian M Mackay

Invasion of the Virus  When a virus comes into contact with a host cell, it will insert its genetic material into its host, literally taking over the host cell’s functions.  An infected cell produces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products.  The infected cell will be taken over by the virus genetic material, forming new viruses parts, self-assemble, and burst out of the host cell, killing the cell and going on to infect other cells.  When a virus comes into contact with a host cell, it will insert its genetic material into its host, literally taking over the host cell’s functions.  An infected cell produces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products.  The infected cell will be taken over by the virus genetic material, forming new viruses parts, self-assemble, and burst out of the host cell, killing the cell and going on to infect other cells.

When does a person become infectious?  A person becomes infectious when the new viruses are being replicated, assembled and released.  The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days.  Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms.  A person becomes infectious when the new viruses are being replicated, assembled and released.  The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days.  Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms.

Ebola Infection and Symptoms  First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. It is hard to diagnose Ebola in its early stage, because these symptoms could easily be mistaken for other viral infections.  This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, stomach pain, coughing, body aches, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools).  Ebola has a high mortality rate. In the United States, the mortality rate is at 50%. It is much higher in Africa.  Infected people ultimately die from a combination of dehydration, massive bleeding, and shock.  First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. It is hard to diagnose Ebola in its early stage, because these symptoms could easily be mistaken for other viral infections.  This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, stomach pain, coughing, body aches, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools).  Ebola has a high mortality rate. In the United States, the mortality rate is at 50%. It is much higher in Africa.  Infected people ultimately die from a combination of dehydration, massive bleeding, and shock.

Transmission of Ebola Virus  Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids of a person who has symptoms of Ebola disease.  Body fluids include saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen.  If a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.  Ebola dried on surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature.  Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months  Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids of a person who has symptoms of Ebola disease.  Body fluids include saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen.  If a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.  Ebola dried on surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature.  Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months

Vaccines Scientists now have a vaccine.  Vaccines have weaken forms of the pathogen.  A vaccine causes your immune system to produce memory B cells preparing for an invasion.  If you are exposed to the virus, your body will produce antibodies which will identify and destroy the virus without getting sick.  Antibiotics are for Bacterial Infections not Viral Infections  Vaccines have weaken forms of the pathogen.  A vaccine causes your immune system to produce memory B cells preparing for an invasion.  If you are exposed to the virus, your body will produce antibodies which will identify and destroy the virus without getting sick.  Antibiotics are for Bacterial Infections not Viral Infections

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