Ebola has dominated the news cycle the past couple months, but how much do you really know about the disease? Here is a quick breakdown of everything you need to know about Ebola.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a rare disease caused by infection from one of the five identified ebola virus strains, though only four are known to cause disease in humans. Ebola was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Ebola River in 1976. Researchers believe that patient zero of the current outbreak of Ebola was a two year old child in Guinea.

What are the signs and symptoms of Ebola?

The symptoms of Ebola include fever, headache, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, joint and muscle pains, and diarrhea. As the Ebola virus infects the body, it damages the immune system and organs causing severe bleeding. The disease is often fatal, killing 90% of those infected.

How is Ebola transmitted?

The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids (blood, urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, semen, etc.) of an infected person or animal. The disease cannot be spread through air, water, or food, unless it is spread through the handling of an infected animal that was hunted for food, and there is no evidence to suggest the disease can be spread through mosquitoes or other insects. Those most prone to infection are healthcare providers and caregivers of infected people because they are most likely to come in contact with a patient’s bodily fluids or infected equipment such as syringes or needles.

How is Ebola diagnosed and treated?

Ebola can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can appear anytime between two and 21 days after infection. Many symptoms are also not exclusive to Ebola.  The virus is easier to diagnose if the person experiencing symptoms is aware of whether or not they made contact with someone who was infected. Doctors can take blood samples from the person to confirm infection. As of right now there is no cure for Ebola, though experimental vaccines are in development. Doctors can treat it by managing oxygen and blood pressure levels, providing electrolytes and IV fluids, and with blood transfusions.

How can I make sure I don’t get infected?

The best way to stay uninfected is to stay away from areas where the virus is found. If you are in an area where the virus is found it is important to wear protective clothing, use careful hygiene, avoid contact with items that may have come in contact with an infected person, and monitor your health for at least 21 days upon your return from that area.

Ebola in the U.S.

There have been four confirmed cases of Ebola in the United States since Sept. 30 when the first patient was diagnosed. On Sept. 30 a man was diagnosed in Texas after developing symptoms of Ebola upon returning to the U.S. from Liberia. Immediately after his diagnosis he was isolated for treatment. All of those exposed to possible infection were contacted in order to monitor their health and confirm that they did not carry the disease.

The man died on Oct. 8. Two days after his death, one of the workers that provided care for the man was diagnosed with Ebola. The worker was treated and release from care on Oct. 24, fully recovered. On Oct. 15 a second healthcare provider of the initial patient was also diagnosed and is currently being treated in Atlanta. On Oct. 23 a fourth case of Ebola was diagnosed, a doctor returning from Guinea to New York City. He is also currently being treated.

Ebola in Chicago

On Oct. 21, two patients were being monitored in isolation at Rush University Medical Center after returning from Liberia, but it was determined that neither patient had the Ebola virus. One patient had a different illness and was moved out of isolation.

Rush University Medical Center has prepared itself for a potential outbreak with all the necessary precautions and preparations to care for an Ebola patient.