ENLmedical.com: Conditions And Concerns: Medical Encyclopedia: Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Causes and Risks:
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola fever) is a virus-caused disease that is limited in area to parts of Africa. It has been made newsworthy worldwide because of its devastatingly destructive potential. The exact mode of transmission is not understood. The incubation period appears to be up to one week at which time the patient develops fatigue , malaise , headache , backache , vomiting , and diarrhea . Within a week a raised (papular) rash appears over the entire body which is often hemorrhagic (contains blood). Hemorrhaging generally occurs from the gastrointestinal tract passing blood from both the mouth and rectum. Mortality is high, reaching 90%.

Prevention:
Avoid areas of epidemics. Absolute gown, glove, and mask precautions are necessary around sick patients.

Symptoms:
Early:

Late:

conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
generalized rash , hemorrhagic
roof of mouth looks red
genital swelling (labia and scrotum )
depression
increased sense of pain in skin
gastrointestinal bleeding ( from mouth and rectum)
bleeding from eyes, ears, and nose

Signs and Tests:
There may be signs and symptoms of:

Tests used in the diagnosis of Ebola fever include:

coagulation studies (tests of how well the blood will clot )
serologic studies to demonstrate the Ebola virus
CBC demonstrates low white blood cell count (leukopenia) and low platelet count ( thrombocytopenia )
electrolytes

Treatment:
There is no known cure for the disorder at this time.

The patient will be hospitalized and will likely need intensive care. Supportive measures for shock will be used (including medications and intravenous fluids).

There will be an attempt to correct bleeding abnormalities; often including transfusions of platelets and/or fresh blood.

Prognosis:
There is a high fatality rate for this disorder (80%-90%).

Complications:
Survivors may have unusual problems such as hair loss and sensory changes.

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if you have traveled to Africa (or if you know you have been exposed to Ebola fever) and you develop symptoms of the disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment may help improve the chances of survival.