How to Recognize Signs & Symptoms of Ebola

Signs & Symptoms of EVD

After a person is infected with Ebola, symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after with the average being 8 to 10 days. This is why people with possible infections are quarantined/assessed for at least 21 days after. Recovery from an Ebola infection depends mainly on good supportive care as well as the persons specific immune response.

The good news is that "people who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years" (CDC).

Common Disease Progression: 

Day 7-9 After Infection: Headache, Fatigue, Fever, Muscle soreness. 

Day 10 After Infection: Sudden high fever, Vomiting blood, Passive behavior

Day 11 After Infection: Bruising, Brain damage, Bleeding from mouth, eyes, anus, and nose. 

Day 12 After Infection: Final stages of the disease: Loss of consciousness, Seizures, Massive 

internal bleeding, DEATH. 

Signs and symptoms of Ebola can be very hard to differentiate from other common viral infections like influenza, typhoid fever, malaria etc. This is due to the early symptoms having a nonspecific nature.  

Unfortunately once a person becomes symptomatic the viruses progression is rapid and severe and can cause complete deterioration and death in as little as 10-12 days. This is a terrifying prognosis for a disease that has no real treatment or cure with a 50% fatality rate. 

Below is a good article to gain more insight into Ebola signs and symptoms: 

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/symptoms/index.html

Below is a good video illuminating in real life detail the signs and symptoms of an Ebola infection: 

References:

1.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, April 10).  Ebola Virus Disease. Retrieved April 15, 2015 from http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/706.htm#sthash.ONwAhsD4.dpuf

2.) Mayo Clinic (2014, August 6) Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus. Retrieved April 14, 2015 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ebola-virus/basics/causes/con-20031241

3.) MedShare. (2014, July 1). Retrieved April 3, 2015, from http://www.medshare.org/donate/urgent-relief/ebola-basics

4.)  UpToDate (2014, October 27).  Ebola Virus Disease. Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1915432

5.)  WHO (2015, April) Ebola Virus Disease. Retrieved April 14, 2015 from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-pathogenesis-of-ebola-virus-disease