EBOLA VIRUS
By Luke Mabe
Symptoms
people may experience pain in the abdomen, chest, joints, or muscles and also chills, dehydration, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, malaise, or sweating also diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or vomiting blood, coughing up blood, eye redness, headache, mental confusion, red spots on skin, or sore throat is also common.
Causes
The Virus is caused is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebola virus. or when it is passed from one person to another. It can Also be acquired from an animal such as a money or a gorilla.
Immune Cells involved
When Ebola first enters the body it attacks dendtritic, which are the cells that alert the immune system of an invader. Other targets are monocytes and macrophaages which are the cells that would absorb viruses like Ebola. This is why it is so hard to fight because it attacks vital white blood cells that would fight it.
How Ebola Replicates
Replication takes place in the membrane of the infected cells. It replicates using RNA. This occurs extremely fast making it almost impossible for the immune system to have any kind of counter to the virus.
Treatment
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola. However, The CDC recommends an IV, balancing electrolytes, and maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure.
Prevention
If one is trying to prevent contracting Ebola they would 1)avoid contact with other people's blood and body fluids.2) Wash hands frequently with soap and use hand sanitizer.3) refrain from acting with anyone who has or has died from Ebola.