Optional medical device diagnostics-depending on the results of the history, physical examination, and obligatory laboratory parameters-for differential diagnostic workup Abdominal sonography (ultrasound of the abdominal organs). Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle). X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax/chest). Computed tomography of the abdomen (abdominal CT) – for further diagnostics.
To prevent Ebola virus disease, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Pathogen reservoirs are the flying foxes or bats (Chiroptera, also fluttering animals) living in sub-Saharan Africa. Transmitters are non-human primates, rodents as well as flying foxes. Through contact with infected sick or dead animals, the disease is transmitted to humans. Transmission … Ebola: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate Ebola: Acute (sudden) onset fever (89%). Cephalgia (headache) (80%) Weakness (66%) Dizziness (60%) Myalgia (muscle pain) Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) Pharyngitis (pharyngitis) Nausea (nausea) Exanthema (skin rash), unspecified Mucosal bleeding from day 5-7. Ecchymoses (small-area skin bleeding). Gastrointestinal symptoms nausea/nausea, vomiting (34%), abdominal pain/abdominal pain (40%), diarrhea/diarrhea (51%). Oliguria (decreased … Ebola: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (disease development) Filoviruses are usually ingested through the oropharynx (oral pharynx). The Ebola virus then replicates in monocytes (components of human blood that belong to the leukocyte/white blood cell cell class), macrophages (“phagocytes”), and the dendritic cells of lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Among other things, necrosis (tissue damage resulting from the death of … Ebola: Causes
General measures Strict isolation already in case of suspected disease! Intensive medical, symptomatic therapy
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of Ebola virus disease. Family history What is the general health status of your family members? Social history What is your profession? Have you been abroad recently? If yes, where exactly? [If travel abroad: see below travel history]. Have you had contact with … Ebola: Medical History
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as yellow fever, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo virus, Marburg virus, Rift Valley fever, or hemorrhagic courses of dengue fever, etc. Hanta virus Leptospirosis Malaria – Malaria tropica: thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet/platelet count); rarely a consumptive coagulopathy with manifest bleeding. Meningococcal sepsis (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome). Rickettsioses – infectious disease … Ebola: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by Ebola: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Pulmonary “capillary leak syndrome” (CLS) – serious disease originating in the lungs with generalized edema (water retention) caused by increased permeability of capillary vessels resulting in leakage of plasma and plasma proteins into the interstitium (interstitial … Ebola: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye) [exanthema (rash) – usually petechial (punctate skin bleeding), possibly ecchymosis (small area skin bleeding), etc.]. Abdomen … Ebola: Examination
Laboratory parameters 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests – examination in special laboratory (protection level 4)! Pathogen detection from blood: RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction). Virus detection from whole blood by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS; SERS test): in this test, gold particles are surrounded by a silicon capsule; antibodies are attached to their surface to … Ebola: Lab Test
Therapeutic targets Symptom relief Avoidance of complications (as far as possible) Therapy recommendations A causal therapy against Ebola is not yet available; antibody preparations are currently being tested Intensive care to support vital functions (circulation, respiration). Symptomatic therapy (analgesics (painkillers), antipyretics (fever-reducing drugs)) including rehydration (fluid balance). Prevention of secondary infections (if necessary, antibiosis, ie … Ebola: Drug Therapy
