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Ebola: Educate And Protect Yourself

21 October 2014

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If you're feeling worried about the Ebola epidemic, use knowledge to your advantage. Learn how it's contracted, how to protect yourself, what the symptoms are, and what to do if you or anyone you know is worried that they have it.

How People Catch Ebola

Ebola can be transferred to people through contaminated water supplies, bodily fluids, and sick animals. Ebola has been able to spread rapidly through West Africa due to a variety of reasons:

• Consuming Wild Animals - It's believed that the first case of the current epidemic was caused by consuming wild bat: bats are known to carry the disease.
• Lack Of Medical Facilities - Inadequate supplies, beds, and protection for medical workers is quickening the spread of the disease and may also be to blame for its 70% mortality rate.
• Burial Contamination - Without proper protection, touching the bodies of those who have died from Ebola increases the risk of transmission. According to a World Health Organization spokesperson, the body of a person who has died from Ebola is more contagious than a living person with Ebola.

Most of these risk factors are not common in the United States, as more medical facilities and supplies are available, wild meat is rarely consumed, and strict burial policies are followed. However, the disease can still be transferred like any other virus: through bodily fluids like saliva, blood, and sweat.

Reduce Your Risk Of Catching It

To increase your protection from the disease, do the following:

• Watch The News Regularly - Any local outbreaks will be reported. If there is an outbreak, take extra precautions.
• Maintain Good Hygiene - Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. You should scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to destroy germs and viruses.
• Use A Face Mask - If you're especially worried or have a weak immune system, consider wearing a surgical mask when you're around people. You might get some odd looks, but you'll be less likely to get sick from any kind of virus, not just Ebola.

Ebola Symptoms & What To Do If You Have Them

Unfortunately, the early symptoms of Ebola are quite similar to what you might experience if you have the flu or even a common cold. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), common symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain or weakness, stomach pain, and diarrhea or vomiting.

If you're concerned that you or a loved one has any of these symptoms, seek treatment immediately. If it's Ebola, catching it early can save lives; if it's not, you should still seek help as it could be another life-threatening virus.

If you choose to seek medical attention, don't go to an urgent care facility or medical clinic. They generally aren't prepared to deal with Ebola. Instead, go to an emergency room, hospital, or call 911 and explain the symptoms you're experiencing. An ambulance with a paramedic team that's equipped to safely handle the situation will take you to an appropriate facility to be treated.

Ebola is quite frightening, but protecting yourself and your loved ones will help prevent getting sick. Take precautions, consider asking your doctor for more advice, and seek treatment if you feel ill.

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