Overdoing Ebola Reporting

Much has been said recently about the Ebola virus, the spread of it, as well as the containment of it, how it's contracted, what to do if you do contract it and so on. The reality for most of us is we will never be near the disease, someone infected with it or ever have to worry about contracting it. Or will we? Please keep in mind that this is not a medical column nor are we medical experts. This is just some common-sense information.

Years ago, when the first reports of the AIDS virus was becoming "mainstream", there was a similar hysteria in the media as we are seeing now with the Ebola virus. No longer relegated to the private discussions within the homosexual population, fear from a lack of knowledge seemed to be more prevalent than ever. Now that the hysteria and media "over-coverage" of AIDS has lessened, we've benefitted from rational, medical discussions. Many involved with the disease were able to supply correct and valuable information as to the do's and don'ts when dealing with an AIDS patient. In fact, when transporting my first AIDS patient via the ambulance I ride on, the police officer who responded to the call refused to enter the motel room from which we were picking the patient up from. We, as attendants were required to wear a protective suit, eye and face protection and a double layer of medical gloves. Thinking about it now, we each looked like the Michelin Man. We now know better and handle these calls a bit more easily and confidently. Hopefully, we'll get there with Ebola related issues sooner rather than later.

From an average citizen's perspective, you should certainly remain vigilant and cautious when meeting or interacting with people, especially ones you do not know. While profiling may be illegal, not cool and something people say they won't do, it may also be your best weapon to remain uninfected and Ebola-free. Interestingly, many of Ebola's symptoms can be interchanged with other illnesses. An ABG staffer recently came down with bronchitis. When he called his physician, whom he's known for years, the doctor laughed and asked if he'd been traveling to any other nations such as Liberia recently. After they got past the kidding around, he asked for symptoms. Ironically, many of the symptoms coincided with the Ebola virus symptoms: headache, vomiting (from coughing so hard), stomach discomfort (from coughing), decreased appetite, sore throat, breathing difficulty and some minor chest pain (from coughing). The doctor laughed and said he qualified and to stay away from everybody and don't travel anymore. Fortunately, he also prescribed the Z-Pack of antibiotics and a cure was forthcoming.

While we're half-joking about the symptomatology, the symptoms of the Ebola virus are very similar to the flu. As such, it would be difficult for a lay person to be able to tell if someone has the Ebola virus or simply the flu. Ebola is usually detected in blood and many body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen. The obvious abstention of kissing, sex, breast feeding and so on requires a diligence on behalf of those who are sick and the ones they live with. In fact, they may not even realize they are infected but simply have the flu as the symptoms are fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain - how you feel when you get the flu.

Unlike respiratory illnesses like measles or chickenpox, which can be transmitted by virus particles that remain suspended in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids of a person who has symptoms of Ebola disease. Although coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola, 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.

Any surface the virus has dried upon such as doorknobs and countertops can see the virus survive for several hours; however, the virus in bodily fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature. Ebola can be killed with hospital-grade disinfectants and even household bleach. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and a patient’s immune system's response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that can last for at least 10 years, possibly longer. The medical community doesn't fully know if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola.

Another question that's been raised is if someone survives Ebola, can they still spread the virus? According to the doctor we spoke with, once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. According to the CDC and others, standard treatment for Ebola is still limited to supportive therapy. Supportive therapy is balancing the patient's fluid and electrolytes, maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure, and treating such patients for any complicating infections. Any patients suspected of having Ebola hemorrhagic fever should be isolated, and caregivers should wear protective garments. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

There's so much more that could be discussed but eventually would begin to cloud the issue even more. We hope that this article has added a small bit of clarity to the confusion and hype created mostly by the media. It seems that by practicing some common-sense routines, the average person can be relatively assured of remaining Ebola-free. For emergency service workers, first responders and the medical community, its obvious that more precautions must be taken to ensure their safety while performing their respective jobs. Stay vigilant and if something doesn't add up in your mind, reach out to a local hospital, your physician , the Center for Disease Control or the NYS Department of Health. In the end, simply paying attention might just be our best weapon against Ebola.