Updated November 19, 2014.
Most treatment of the deadly Ebola virus is symptomatic and focuses on the relief of symptoms as they develop. Much treatment targets both bleeding and shock which are among the most worrisome complications of Ebola. Patients with Ebola should be isolated and treated in the intensive care unit with barrier precautions in place—gowns, gloves, masks and goggles for all healthcare personnel in contact with the patient. Although most treatment of Ebola is symptomatic, there exists certain experimental interventions that target the Ebola virus itself and have shown some promise in animal models and a handful of people with the disease.
In order to prevent dehydration, fluids are given to the patient with Ebola both intravenously and, if tolerated, by mouth, too. Furthermore, electrolytes or body salts are regulated intravenously in order to keep the body in proper homeostasis. Finally, intravenous lines serve as routes of administration for drugs like antibiotics which help combat secondary infections.
Antipyretics (drugs like Tylenol) are given to reduce very high fevers caused by the Ebola virus. (Ebola isn't called a viral hemorrhagic fever for nothing!).
Antiemetics are used to combat nausea and vomiting
Antidiarrheal agents (drugs like Lamotil) are used to help with diarrhea that usually sets in after a few days.
Blood and blood products help with the bleeding caused by the Ebola virus.
Pressors, a class of drugs that helps maintain blood pressure and cardiac output (the volume of blood pumped by the heart), are routinely administered to help fight shock. Along with bleeding, shock is a major concern in the patient with Ebola.
In case the patient with Ebola experiences end-organ damage (failure of the kidneys or lungs), dialysis and respirators can be life saving.
In September 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) released “interim guidance” which suggested using convalescent blood and plasma, a blood component, from recovered patients with Ebola as a means of immunization.
Zmapp, a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies which fight proteins that constitute the Ebola virus, has shown promise in a handful of people. (Currently, there is no more Zmapp available.) Other monoclonal antibodies such as HB-003 and ZMab have shown antiviral effects in macaques, a type of primate. (Keep in mind that animal models aren’t human, so, although encouraging, such findings must be taken with a grain of salt.)
Most treatment of the deadly Ebola virus is symptomatic and focuses on the relief of symptoms as they develop. Much treatment targets both bleeding and shock which are among the most worrisome complications of Ebola. Patients with Ebola should be isolated and treated in the intensive care unit with barrier precautions in place—gowns, gloves, masks and goggles for all healthcare personnel in contact with the patient. Although most treatment of Ebola is symptomatic, there exists certain experimental interventions that target the Ebola virus itself and have shown some promise in animal models and a handful of people with the disease.
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1. Fluid and electrolyte management (symptomatic treatment)
In order to prevent dehydration, fluids are given to the patient with Ebola both intravenously and, if tolerated, by mouth, too. Furthermore, electrolytes or body salts are regulated intravenously in order to keep the body in proper homeostasis. Finally, intravenous lines serve as routes of administration for drugs like antibiotics which help combat secondary infections.
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2. Analgesics (symptomatic treatment)
Ebola is painful thus heavy-hitting analgesics (drugs like morphine) are given for pain relief.){kind=link}
3. Antipyretics (symptomatic treatment)
Antipyretics (drugs like Tylenol) are given to reduce very high fevers caused by the Ebola virus. (Ebola isn't called a viral hemorrhagic fever for nothing!).
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4. Antiemetics (symptomatic treatment)
Antiemetics are used to combat nausea and vomiting
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5. Antidiarrheal agents (symptomatic treatment)
Antidiarrheal agents (drugs like Lamotil) are used to help with diarrhea that usually sets in after a few days.
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6. Blood and blood products (symptomatic treatment)
Blood and blood products help with the bleeding caused by the Ebola virus.
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7. Pressors (symptomatic treatment)
Pressors, a class of drugs that helps maintain blood pressure and cardiac output (the volume of blood pumped by the heart), are routinely administered to help fight shock. Along with bleeding, shock is a major concern in the patient with Ebola.
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8. Dialysis and mechanical ventilation (symptomatic treatment)
In case the patient with Ebola experiences end-organ damage (failure of the kidneys or lungs), dialysis and respirators can be life saving.
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9. Convalescent blood and blood products (experimental treatment)
In September 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) released “interim guidance” which suggested using convalescent blood and plasma, a blood component, from recovered patients with Ebola as a means of immunization.
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10. Monoclonal antibodies (experimental treatment)
Zmapp, a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies which fight proteins that constitute the Ebola virus, has shown promise in a handful of people. (Currently, there is no more Zmapp available.) Other monoclonal antibodies such as HB-003 and ZMab have shown antiviral effects in macaques, a type of primate. (Keep in mind that animal models aren’t human, so, although encouraging, such findings must be taken with a grain of salt.)
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