How is Ebola transmitted

The Ebola is a acute viral infectious disease, which is especially characterized by its very high lethality (which can reach up to 90%), for not having a preventive vaccine to help in preventing infection, and for not having a cure. That is, the medical treatments that exist so far are palliative, and seek to maintain the patient's life until their immune system is able to fight for itself against the virus and create enough antibodies for it.

With regard to how Ebola is spread, we must bear in mind that the contagion is produced by direct contact with the infected person and that presents symptoms of the disease (with their blood, with their body fluids or with other related fluids), or by indirect contact with some of the objects that This has previously been used (with dirty bedding, garments or used needles).

How is Ebola transmitted?

Unlike what many people think completely wrong, the Ebola virus is not transmitted by water or air. This is indicated both by the Spanish Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).

As indicated by medical specialists, so far only It is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with any body fluid of the infected patient, or the infected animal (we must not forget that the contagion can also occur from animals to people, although these are not affected).

Although it is not so easy for one person to transmit the Ebola virus to another, since direct contact is required with it, and because it is not transmitted through the air, very few virus particles are necessary to produce the disease.

Is there a possibility that it is transmitted through the air?

As many epidemiologists and medical specialists say, although at the moment the infection only occurs from direct contact with the infected person, there is a possibility that in the future it could be transmitted through the air, or that it is a virus that mutates constantly, adapting to ensure its survival and proliferation.

This means that the virus may be able to change its degree of lethality in humans, the time it takes to cause the disease, its mode of transmission and its susceptibility to medications.

How Ebola is spread according to the WHO

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are a number of ways through which the spread of Ebola is possible. Fundamentally they are the following:

Through direct contact with the body fluids of the person who is already infected. It is the case of blood, saliva, sweat, feces and vomiting. In addition, it can also be transmitted through breast milk or semen.
Wear contaminated clothing and bedding.
Maintain sexual relations - without protection - with an infected person.
Use medical equipment contaminated with the virus, or use needles not previously sterilized.
Ingestion of meat from animals infected with the virus.
Contact with infected animals, mainly bats or monkeys.

In summary…

The Ebola virus is not transmitted through the air or through water.
The Ebola virus itself is transmitted by direct contact with the infected person (through their bodily fluids or by the objects that they have used and that contain them).
So far, medical experts believe that the Ebola virus is only transmitted when the person already has symptoms of the disease.

Therefore, before the appearance of some of the related symptoms (such as muscle pain and intense weakness, fever, sore throat and headache, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes), and before the slightest doubt, you should go quickly to the doctor. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesInfections