Treatment and Prognosis of Ebola Virus Disease

There is no known Ebola virus-specific treatment. Treatment is symptomatic and includes:

• Pain management
• Balancing the fluids and electrolytes in the body
• Administering anticoagulants if the disease is identified early
• Controlling disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Controlling bleeding with procoagulants
• Maintaining oxygen levels
• Using antibiotics to treat secondary infections

The patient is usually quarantined and hospitalized for intensive care. Supportive measures for shock including medications and fluids are given through vein.

Prognosis

The prognosis of the Ebola virus disease is poor with about 70% of cases resulting in death. The rare survivors may recover quickly and completely, while some persons may have prolonged recovery with body pains, inflammations, joint pains, skin peeling, hair loss and even sensory changes. Some survivors have also reported excess tearing, eye sensitivity, eye inflammation and blindness. More number of deaths are reported due to low blood pressure and shock rather than blood loss.