Facts About Ebola Virus

Facts About Ebola

Not having all of the facts regarding the Ebola Outbreak can be very scary. Knowing the symptoms and how it is spread can help eliminate some of those fears. Below are some basic facts from the CDC regarding Ebola.

Ebola is NOT spread through

  • Casual Contact
  • Air
  • Water
  • Food grown or legally purchased in the U.S.

A person infected with Ebola can’t spread the disease until symptoms appear

The time from exposure to when signs or symptoms of the disease appear (the incubation period) is 2 to 21 days, but the average time is 8 to 10 days. After 21 days, if an exposed person does not develop symptoms, they will not become sick with Ebola.

Symptoms of Ebola include:

  • Fever (higher than 101.5°F)
  • Severe Headache
  • Muscle Pain
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach Pain
  • Unexplained Bleeding or Bruising

Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids

Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or through your eyes, nose, or mouth) with:

  • Blood and body fluids (like urine, feces, saliva, vomit, sweat, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola.
  • Objects (like needles) that have been contaminated with the blood or body fluids of a person sick with Ebola.

Protect yourself against Ebola

There is no FDA-approved vaccine available for Ebola. Experimental vaccines and treatments for Ebola are under development, but they have not yet been fully tested for safety or effectiveness.

To protect yourself from Ebola

  • DO wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • DO NOT touch the blood or body fluids (like urine, feces, saliva, vomit, sweat, and semen) of people who are sick.
  • DO NOT handle items that may have come in contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, like clothes, bedding, needles, or medical equipment.
  • DO NOT touch the body of someone who has died of Ebola.

What if you think you are exposed?

If you think you may be exposed to Ebola you should check for signs and symptoms of Ebola for 21 days.

  • Take your temperature every morning and evening.
  • Watch for other Ebola symptoms, like severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
  • Call your doctor even if you do not have symptoms. Your doctor can evaluate your exposure level and any symptoms and consult with public health authorities to determine if actions are needed.
  • During the time that you are watching for signs and symptoms, you can continue your normal activities, including going to work.

If you get sick after you come back from an area with an Ebola outbreak

  • Get medical care RIGHT AWAY if you have a fever (higher than 101.5°F), severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
  • Tell your doctor about your recent travel to West Africa or contact with a person who was sick with Ebola and your symptoms BEFORE you go to the doctor’s office or emergency room. Calling before you go to the doctor’s office or emergency room will help the staff care for you and protect other people.

Additional Information

For more information regarding Ebola Virus visit the following websites:

Important Phone Numbers

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – 800-232-4636
  • Ohio Department of Health 24-hour-a-day Call Center – 866-800-1404
  • Cuyahoga County Board of Health – 216-201-2000
  • Southwest General Emergency Care – 440-816-8888
  • Medina Hospital – 330-725-1000
  • University Hospitals Parma Medical Center – 440-743-3000

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