No FDA-approved vaccine or medicine (e.g.

, antiviral drug) is available for

Ebola.
Symptoms of Ebola and complications are treated as they appear. The
following basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the
chances of survival:
Providing intravenous fluids (IV) and balancing electrolytes (body salts).
Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure.
Treating other infections if they occur.
Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but
they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.
Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive care and the patients
immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop
antibodies that last for at least 10 years, possibly longer. It is not known if
people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a
different species of Ebola. Some people who have recovered from Ebola have
developed long-term complications, such as joint and vision problems.
Even after recovery, Ebola might be found in some body fluids, including
semen. The time it takes for Ebola to leave the semen is different for each
man. For some men who survived Ebola, the virus left their semen in three
months. For other men, the virus did not leave their semen for more than
nine months. Based on the results from limited studies conducted to date, it
appears that the amount of virus decreases over time and eventually leaves
the semen.
SIGN
A person infected with Ebola virus will typically develop a fever, a headache,
joint and muscle pain, a sore throat, and intense muscle weakness.
These symptoms start suddenly between 2 and 21 days after becoming
infected.
Diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, stomach pain and impaired kidney and liver
function follow.
The patient then bleeds internally, and may also bleed from the ears, eyes,
nose or mouth.
Ebola virus disease is fatal in 50-90% of cases. The sooner a person is given
care, the better the chances that they will survive.
CAUSES
The Ebola virus belongs to the viral family Filoviridae. Scientists also call it
Filovirus. These virus types cause hemorrhagic fever or profuse bleeding
inside and outside the body. Its accompanied by a very high fever. Ebola can
be further divided into subtypes that are named for the location where they
were identified. These include:

Bundibugyo
Reston
Sudan
Ta Forest (previously known as Ivory Coast)
Zaire
The Ebola virus likely originated in African fruit bats. The virus is known as a
zoonotic virus because its transmitted to humans from animals. Humans can
also transfer the virus to each other. The following animals can transmit the
virus:
chimpanzees
forest antelopes
gorillas
monkeys
porcupines
Since people may handle these infected animals, the virus can be transmitted
via the animals blood and body fluids.
Risk Factors and Transmission
Unlike other types of viruses, Ebola cant be transmitted through the air or by
touch alone. You must have direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone
who has it. The virus may be transmitted through:
blood
diarrhea
breast milk
feces
saliva
semen
sweat
urine
vomit
These bodily fluids can all carry the Ebola virus. Transmission can occur via
the eyes, nose, mouth, broken skin, or sexual contact. Healthcare workers are
especially at risk for contracting Ebola because they often deal with blood
and bodily fluids.
Other risk factors include:

exposure to infected objects, such as needles

interactions with infected animals
attending burial ceremonies of someone who has died from Ebola
traveling to areas where a recent outbreak has occurred
How Is Ebola Treated?
The Ebola virus does not have a cure or vaccine at this time. Instead,
measures are taken to keep the person as comfortable as possible.
Supportive care measures may include:
giving medications to maintain blood pressure
managing electrolyte balances
providing extra oxygen, if needed
providing intravenous and/or oral fluids to prevent dehydration
treating coexisting infections
preventing other infections from occurring
administering blood products if indicated
Prevention
Individuals can take several precautions to protect against Ebola. These steps
include:
avoiding contact with blood and body fluids
practicing careful hand hygiene, including washing hands with soap and
water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
refraining from engaging in burial rituals that involve handling the body of a
person who died from Ebola
wearing protective clothing around wildlife
refraining from handling items a person with Ebola has handled (this includes
clothing, bedding, needles, or medical equipment)
Healthcare workers and lab technicians also must practice precautions. This
includes isolating people with Ebola and wearing protective gowns, gloves,
masks, and eye shields when coming in contact with the infected person or
their belongings. Careful protocol and disposal of these protective materials is
also vital for infection prevention. Cleaning crews should use a bleach
solution to clean floors and surfaces that may have come in contact with the
Ebola virus.
Further research is being done to help prevent future outbreaks. As of April
2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that two possible
vaccines are being tested for human safety.