About this topic
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is also called EVD. It is an infection caused by the Ebola virus. This germ spreads easily from person to person. It is also passed on if you come in contact with infected animals. The germ may spread by coming in contact with the blood or body fluids of someone with the infection. This includes sweat, urine, and blood. It also includes material that is thrown up or stool. ‚
There is no set care for EVD. The doctors will treat your signs. They will work to keep your fluid levels up and blood pressure normal. The doctors will also work to keep your oxygen levels normal. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Make sure all people in your house know how to handle blood and body fluids safely.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Drink lots of fluids like fruit juices and water to keep fluids up.
- Your doctor may tell you to take extra iron.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
- Practice good personal hygiene and proper hand washing. This can help prevent the spread of infection.
- If you are breastfeeding, stop and talk to your doctor.
- Use household bleach for routine toilet cleaning. Use disinfectants or a mild bleach solution for cleaning kitchen and bathrooms.
- Wash clothes, bed linens, and towels with detergent.
- Men should use a condom when having sex for the next 3 months.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
- Help with pain
- Help blood clot
- Keep your fluids up
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat foods high in iron. These include liver, clams, oysters, pumpkin, spinach, prunes, raisins, and apricots. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Not enough red blood cells
- Swelling of the spinal cord
- Problems with your nervous system
- Shock
- Coma
- Multiple organ damage
- Death
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
If you are caring for a patient with EVD: ‚
- Wear disposable protective gowns, gloves, and face masks each time you are near a person who has EVD.
- Avoid reusing needles and syringes.
- Take care when throwing away needles, devices, and other things used by the patient.
- Wash your hands often and wash the hands of the patient you are taking care of.
If you are to travel in places where there is an EVD outbreak: ‚
- Check with your doctor before and after you return from your travel.
- Make sure that you avoid places where monkeys are common. Avoid close contact with sick or dead animals, especially monkeys.
- If you have seen signs of EVD, seek health care right away.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Headache
- Throwing up or loose stools
- Muscle and joint pain
- Bleeding
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what signs will make me call the doctor.
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Viral_haemorrhagic_fever ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/Fact_Sheets/Ebola_Fact_Booklet.pdf ‚
World Health Organization ‚
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚