In the mid 70s it emerged virus Ebola in Africa. Since then many people have been victims of this disease has emerged as one of the deadliest in the world. Once a person comes into contact with this deadly disease, elapses incubation period of Ebola in which the patient may experience different symptoms they should be treated by specialists.
In this article we keep awake how the Ebola incubation period : the duration, symptoms and prevention of this disease that is hitting our planet.
Ebola incubation period
The Ebola virus is one of the deadliest viruses that exist because their mortality rate can rise to 90%. From the moment in which it has been in contact with the virus until the time when the first symptoms of the disease known as perceived incubation period and, in the case of Ebola , is from 2 to the 21 days.During the incubation period of Ebola first symptoms of the disease where the patient experiences a first phase of the disease characterized by high fever, headaches, muscle aches, a feeling of physical weakness and conjunctivitis occur. The clearest sign that appears during the incubation period of Ebola is the rash on the face or neck that spreads throughout the body; This symptom usually appears on the fifth day.
In the second phase of ebola , the symptoms are more severe and when the patient has diarrhea, vomiting and when a rash, as well as internal and / or external bleeding may occur. They bleeding originate generally from the gastrointestinal tract and cause the patient Ebola to bleed from the rectum or mouth; blood loss is usually the main cause of high mortality Ebola .
Detection of Ebola
During the incubation period of Ebola it is when the symptoms of the virus begin to attack patients and doctors must make a diagnosis to determine whether or not infected by this virus so deadly.Tests that are usually done to diagnose Ebola include:
- Tests in which blood clotting is studied because, as we have seen, Ebola causes external and internal bleeding.
- Studies of antibodies of patients.
- Testing for the presence of Ebola virus in the blood by analyzing the genomic or subgenomic RNA.
- ELISA method: is the most common technique used to diagnose Ebola and is a test that analyzes the IgM and IgG antibodies. This method is an immunoassay that detects antibodies is in the patient serum; specialists set in the reaction of these antibodies when inserted a protein of the virus Ebola .
How to tell if you are infected
The incubation period of Ebola , as mentioned, takes between 2 and 21 days and is in this period when the person has been in contact with the virus begins to experience the first symptoms until it is determined who is infected.However, if you want to know if you are infected with ebola first thing you know they are the modes of transmission of Ebola:
- Animals are a focus of infection of Ebola large scale, in fact, it is known that the origin of this infection is to look at the bats; therefore contact with wild animals can lead to the spread of Ebola .
- Human fluids such as blood, saliva, organs or secretions are also a focus of infection of the virus. You have to take extreme care when treating a patient with Ebola to prevent the virus spreading to another human being.
- The materials used to treat sick of this virus can also be a source of infection; therefore, they have to follow to the letter the preventive measures to avoid the spread of Ebola .
If you have been exposed to Ebola infection you can determine if you have this virus by the symptoms you experience your body:
- Fevers superior to 38.6ºC
- Muscle pains
- Fatigue and body weakness
- Headache and abdominal pain
- both internal and external bleeding
- kidney failure
Warning
We've already explained how the Ebola incubation period , however, you must keep in mind that we are talking about a very lethal virus and that treatment with medical specialists is essential to treat this disease.
If you experience any of these symptoms and have been exposed to a contagious Ebola outbreak, go immediately to your hospital specifying your situation.
