The Ebola virus: How is it contracted? What are the symptoms? How is it treated?

The Ebola virus, seen magnified, has a fatality rate of up to 90% in patients but its outbreaks are primarily in Central and West Africa. The virus is spread by direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids.

Until this week, the deadly Ebola virus that has claimed nearly 900 lives had seemed an ocean away.

Now amid recent scares of infected Americans and patients possibly flying from Africa onto U.S. soil, its fear is closer than many expected.

Fortunately contracting the deadly virus, said to have a fatality rate of up to 90%, is not only preventable but health officials say has a relatively small threat to Americans at home.

Here are some fast facts on what you need to know about
Ebola:

»HOW DO YOU GET IT?
•Human-to-human transmission, primarily through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, feces, or semen
•Contact with contaminated objects such as needles and/or soiled bedding or clothing
•It's not airborne like the flu

»WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
•Sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat
Followed by:
•Vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, some cases internal and external bleeding

»HOW LONG BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW?
•Anywhere from 2 to 21 days, though 8 to 10 days is most common

»WHAT DISEASES SHOULD BE RULED OUT FIRST?
•Malaria, typhoid fever, shigellosis, cholera, leptospirosis, plague, rickettsiosis, relapsing fever, meningitis, hepatitis and other viral haemorrhagic fevers

»HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?
•Avoid direct contact with bodily fluids, someone suffering from Ebola or already deceased from it
•Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol- based hand sanitizer when in risk of such contact
•Wear gloves, a mask, and a long-protective gown if coming within a meter of an infected patient
•Anyone suspected of contracting the virus should be isolated and public health professionals notified

»HOW IS IT TREATED?
•Balancing the patient's fluids and electrolytes
•Maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure
•Treating them for any complicating infections
•There is no licensed vaccine available though several are being tested

»WHERE ARE THE OUTBREAKS?
•Primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests
•In Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone there have been 1,440 suspect and confirmed cases and 826 deaths as
of July 30