Skip to main content

Ebola virus Disease Progression

Ebola is a disease caused by the Ebola virus. Ebola virus belongs to the family Filoviridae. Filoviridae is the only virus family about which scientists know very less. Knowledge about the pathogenesis, the diseases caused by this virus family and the detailed virology is still very less. The recent epidemics have provided a considerable amount of understanding about the filoviruses. The first encounter of biomedical science with virus family Filoviridae took place in 1967 when Marburg virus appeared. Similar course of events were presaged by this virus for Ebola virus.

On an average, the incubation period for Ebola Virus disease in humans lasts for 5-9 days though the overall incubation period of Ebola Virus disease in humans ranges from 2 to 21 days. There are three distinct phases in the course of the disease: Generalization phase, early organ phase, late organ phase or convalescence phase depending upon the result of the infection.
  • Generalization phase: This phase begins with symptoms that are largely similar to influenza. High fever, chills, myalgia, malaise, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, stomachache, nausea, severe diarrhea have all been reported. This phase lasts for about five days after the beginning of the disease. In the middle or later part of the generalization phase, a rash might also be noticed on the face, trunk or other parts which later gets developed as maculopapular rash.
  • Early organ phase: After 5 to 13 days of the onset of the disease, the disease gets progressed into this phase. It is associated with conditions like prostration, dyspnea, exanthema, abnormal vascular permeability, conjunctival injection and edema. This phase marks the beginning of severe phase of the disease. In the later stage of this phase, clear hemorrhagic manifestations can be seen in the patients. Multiple organs like liver, pancreas, and kidneys get affected.
  • Late organ phase: This phase begins after 13 days until more than 20 days after the commencement of the disease. In this phase, the condition of the patient moves to a critical state with multiple organ failure, convulsions, shock etc. Patients may develop neurological symptoms including dementia, restlessness or coma.
  • Convalescence phase: Those who survive the disease may not even enter the late organ phase. During recovery and convalescent phase, complications such as myalgia, arthralgia, asthenia, hepatitis, ocular disease and psychosis may occur.


Popular posts from this blog

Updates on current ebola outbreak

 Dealing with Ebola outbreaks is like battling a wildfire—swift action and robust strategies are essential to contain the spread. As of now, several regions, particularly in Central and West Africa, are still grappling with this deadly virus. Let’s break down the current situation, the response efforts, and the ongoing challenges. The Current Situation: Regions Affected As of 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda have reported the most recent outbreaks. These areas have faced recurrent Ebola flare-ups, often linked to the Zaire ebolavirus species, known for its high fatality rate. The outbreaks typically start in remote areas but can spread to urban centers, complicating containment efforts. Response Efforts: Rapid and Coordinated Action The response to these outbreaks involves a multi-faceted approach: Rapid Diagnosis and Isolation : Quick identification of cases is crucial. Health workers use diagnostic tools to confirm Ebola and isolate patients to prevent furt...
Read more

Prevention from EBOLA

Ebola is a deadly virus which causes severe illness in humans which is often fatal. The virus is rare and it is known to cause internal and external bleeding in humans. The disease is known as Ebola Hemorrhagic fever or Ebola. When the virus spreads in the body, it impacts the organs and causes damage to them as well as to the immune system. As the proverb goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, here are a few steps to be followed for protecting oneself from getting infected with Ebola: While handling animals, wear gloves and other protective clothing. Animal products such as blood and meat should be properly cooked before consumption. This will reduce the risk of transmission of virus from infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes. To reduce the risk of transmission from an Ebola infected person, care should be taken that direct contact with their body fluids is avoided. If you are providing care to ill people, then you should wear gloves and other protective equipment while handling ...
Read more

The West African Ebola outbreak

 The West African Ebola outbreak, spanning from 2014 to 2016, stands as one of the most harrowing public health crises in recent history. This outbreak was not just about the staggering number of cases, but also about the profound impact on communities, healthcare systems, and the global response to epidemics. Let’s unpack this significant event. The Outbreak: A Sudden Surge The Ebola outbreak in West Africa began quietly in December 2013 in a small village in Guinea. By March 2014, the virus had spread to the capital, Conakry, and soon crossed borders into Liberia and Sierra Leone. This was the first time Ebola had hit these densely populated and highly mobile areas, leading to an unprecedented spread. The Human Toll: Lives Lost and Affected The numbers paint a grim picture: over 28,000 reported cases and more than 11,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these statistics only scratch the surface of the human suffering. Entire families were wiped o...
Read more