Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a virus-based disease that originated in the Congo region of Africa during the 1970s. The ailment has since caused sporadic illness outbreaks across the African continent. Many fictional works of cinema and literature have been based on this disorder due to its rather dramatic symptomology. An individual infected with the Ebola virus may experience intense bleeding from various areas inside and outside the body, and rapid onset of death occurs in the worst cases.
An invasion of the Ebola virus into the human body leads to the development of Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Five different subsets of viruses exist among the Ebola virus — with some not as dangerous to humans — but the strain which first surfaced holds the poorest prognosis for patients. This infectious agent derived its name from the region where it was first documented: the Ebola River Valley of the African Congo. The virus spread among patients at a regional hospital in 1976, and thus created a deadly outbreak.
Symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever have a rather rapid onset, with some individuals developing symptoms in as little as two days. Once the effects have begun, they quickly progress. Initial symptoms are often mistaken for other diseases like malaria and can include headache, muscle pain, throat inflammation, rash, weakness, and elevated body temperature. More serious signs develop over the following few days, however, and most of these symptoms include bleeding. During the later stages of the disease, blood discharge in a number of bodily areas is not uncommon. Frequent hemorrhaging can occur in vomit, bowel movements, from inner blood vessels, and from any openings on the body like the nose, mouth, and eyes.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever attacks blood vessels and hinders their ability to properly clot, which is why bleeding is such a primary feature of the condition. The virus also attacks cells involved in protein-making and immunity functions. Once inside the body, infection can soon spread to several organs. Due to this overwhelming bodily stress, the strongest strains of Ebola virus produce around an 80 to 90 percent fatality rate. Death typically occurs about three weeks after exposure.
Outbreaks of the disease are also devastating because they often occur in economically disadvantaged regions. Infection usually begins with animals like monkeys and spreads to humans via contact with an infected live or dead animal. Poorly sanitized areas where infected body fluids may be present then facilitate transmission among humans. Such risk factors mark the poorest regions of Africa as the most frequent target of outbreaks. These regions are also less likely to possess the resources to properly isolate and treat infected individuals.
A lack of scientific research combined with the virus’s lethal strength has significantly hindered progress on Ebola hemorrhagic fever treatment. Some vaccines have shown promise, but no medical solution for humans has been discovered as of 2011. Most treatment thus consists of addressing the symptoms: controlling bleeding and keeping the patient hydrated through water consumption, for example. Preventive measures such as proper sanitation and quarantine implementation remain the most effective means of combating Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
