Ebola

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

So.. Is this really as bad as some people are making it out to be? Serious question.

Duncan (his first name escapes me right now) flew into the country with Ebola and visited relatives, and no one on the flight, nor his relatives, contracted the virus.

Of course, there are nurses who are sick, but the CDC is now taking extra precautions to make sure that no other healthare workers are infected.

I guess I just don't see any reason to panic right now. But maybe I'm wrong..?

I'm not a huge fan of Faux News, but this is good.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/1...n_5992510.html

Unfortunately, we have some school systems which, ironically are NOT near where the nurse was staying in Akron, that have closed today.

I agree with your analysis that there is something to handling bodily fluids of those infected vs. being near those infected. Also, why have so many healthcare workers in Liberia NOT been infected? Could there be a resistance that they have built up?

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I'm not a huge fan of Faux News, but this is good.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/1...n_5992510.html

Unfortunately, we have some school systems which, ironically are NOT near where the nurse was staying in Akron, that have closed today.

I agree with your analysis that there is something to handling bodily fluids of those infected vs. being near those infected. Also, why have so many healthcare workers in Liberia NOT been infected? Could there be a resistance that they have built up?

Our news said one of those schools closed because a teacher was on the flight with the nurse. But that doesn't make sense to me- unless they had a very quick turn around. The nurse was on the flight going to Dallas from Cleveland. If that teacher went to Dallas and went right back to Cleveland that seems odd.

ETA: The news report I just read said that a teacher was on the same airplane, for a later flight. It also said there were two students who were in contact with the nurse while she was there and that's why their schools are closed.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 1963

I read that it can't be detected right away. The symptoms don't show up until weeks or months later after exposure.

From my understanding, this is not exactly true. You're not contagious unless you are exhibiting symptoms (vomiting, fever, etc...).

If you have been exposed to it, the incubation period is anywhere from 2-21 days (so weeks, not months) from the time you've been exposed until the time you start exhibiting symptoms (and are thus contagious).

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 1963

Ok. I must have read it wrong. When you say "contagious" what have to read or heard for folks to mean contagious? I'm asking because it seems like it's more contagious than just coming into contact with the bodily fluids.

The "people in the know" (The CDC et al) are still saying you have to have come in contact with bodily fluids, and I still believe that's probably true. Think about the only two people who have contacted it in the US...they were people cleaning up after a man who was vomiting and all sorts of other gross things. So, the opportunity to "break protocol" or have a breach in the system. All it would take is for them to scratch an itchy nose or something with the edge of a contaminated glove and boom...

However, I do think that micro particles (sneezes, a person inadvertently spitting while talking, etc...) come into play also, so keep that in mind. I think if it were airborne, the numbers would be far higher in West Africa than they already are, AND Duncan's family members would also be ill.

Disclaimer - I don't know much about all this except what I read. IUHoosierGirl is a much better source. I just find it very interesting and like reading about it.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 1963

This is what scares the hell out of me. The sneezing and spitting while in conversation. That's way too risky. I'm just trippin that there's not a real cure for it. This is more dangerous and contagious that HIV/AIDS.

Well, I wouldn't panic just yet. Let's see what happens with these nurses, the other healthcare providers, and their circles of friends/family. It very-well could be contained after the 21 day period for each of those dies out. Remember those are all people who wash their hands WAY more than you and I probably do.

The good news is, they've had really good luck with blood/plasma donations of people who have survived the virus being given to those who actively have it. Duncan wasn't a blood-type match for the one missionary guy who was in the states and willing to donate (and frankly, it may have been too late for him anyway because his diagnosis was so botched). Pham (Nurse #1) was a match and has received from him. I'm unsure if Vinson (Nurse #2) was able to receive or not.

Bottom line, until someone in your area has been directly exposed & is contagious, I wouldn't think too much about it. It's a needle-in-a-haystack situation at this point.

[IUHoosiergirl88]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 1963

This is what scares the hell out of me. The sneezing and spitting while in conversation. That's way too risky. I'm just trippin that there's not a real cure for it. This is more dangerous and contagious that HIV/AIDS.

A) While it's more contagious than HIV, it's not more prevalent in the population. You have a much higher chance of being infected with HIV on a random one night stand than you do getting Ebola in any location of the world, except perhaps Liberia.

B) There's never going to be a true 'cure' as you think of it for a virus like Ebola. Viruses are very difficult to 'cure'--just look at how much money has been poured into HIV and we've gotten it to a very manageable infection. Viruses aren't like bacteria because they invade host cells. They can only replicate if they are inside a host cell. So therefore to truly 'cure' the infection, you have to kill the host cells...AKA you have to kill you. That's not very effective, is it? That's why the only two true options for viruses are vaccines (to prevent infection) or antivirals (to keep them from replicating)

C) In order to be infected by the average Ebola patient--not one that's essentially a human jello mold AKA late stage infection--you'd have to basically be directly sneezed/spat/vomited/pooped on OR ensure that their body fluids physically enter your mucous membranes or open wounds. How many times have you been directly sneezed on by a stranger? Probably not very many. How many times do you handle bodily fluids regularly? If you're a healthcare worker or daycare worker, then maybe. But otherwise...generally just if a loved one is ill. So if your loved ones or roommates haven't gotten it, you're probably not going to get it. One just doesn't go around licking the poles on the subway or the escalator rail, nor do we handle the dead like they do in West Africa.