Ebola hemorrhagic fever

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe illness likely transmitted to humans from infected animals and animal materials. It causes shock and severe bleeding abnormalities.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola fever) is a viral disease that is limited to parts of Africa. It has been newsworthy worldwide because of its destructive potential.

The exact mode of transmission is not understood. The incubation period appears to be up to 1 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. The rash is often hemorrhagic (contains blood). Hemorrhaging generally occurs from the gastrointestinal tract, causing the patient to bleed from both the mouth and rectum. Mortality is high, reaching 90%. Patients usually die from shock rather than blood loss.

Symptoms    Return to top

Early:

• malaise
• fatigue
• headache
• sore throat
• backache (low)
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• arthritis

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
• seizures, coma, delirium

Signs and tests    Return to top

There may be signs and symptoms of:

• disseminated intravascular coagulation
• shock
• coma

Tests used in the diagnosis of Ebola fever include:

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

Treatment    Return to top

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.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

There is a high fatality rate for this disorder (80% to 90%).

Complications    Return to top

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

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

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.

Prevention    Return to top

Avoid areas of epidemics. Absolute gown, glove, and mask precautions are necessary around sick patients. These precautions will greatly decrease the risk of transmission.