Post 6. Ebola Ground Zero

I have been listening to BBC radio quite a bit this weekend and one thing broadcasting constantly is Ebola. Every news channel all over the country has shown us what the virus looks like, what it does and how it is contracted. They speak of it with fear in true western fashion flashing it with bells and whistles to the point of exhaustion. This may be rightly so as this disease is of extreme concern, however, we should not live in fear of this disease. Be concerned absolutely, by all means please think of ways to become better educated with this epidemic other than listening to CNN or your local news. That is why tonight I am writing a blog solely on what I call "Ebola Ground Zero". Why Ground Zero? For those that don't know ground zero is known as the point of where a bomb was exploded. This is what we have going on right now, a bomb exploded and now thousand are being affected. I will be providing facts based on my research that I did for my own personal use as I recognize that I will graduate from Nursing in a world much different than when I started school. I truly am an advocate of an educated patient is a better patient. I hope no one that reads this blog or myself will have to come in contact with the virus, however, seeing as to how our medical systems are failing us, we must be realistic. I want to be better prepared as well as I'd like my loved ones, friends and my fellow readers to be better prepared also.

Let me start with explaining what Ebola really is in simple terms and why the virus is so deadly. Ebola is a virus, meaning unlike bacteria antibiotics can not cure the disease. It comes from the family of viruses called Filoviradae. But, what makes this virus deadly is what it does to the human body and how it can evade our immune system alarms up to 21 days. Here is how it works, the virus enters our bodies through any opening-i.e. our eyes, nose, mouth, genitalia, cuts, scrapes or any open skin. The virus is in the bodily FLUIDS of the infected person. Let me define bodily fluids, this means blood, vomit, diarrhea, saliva, semen and sweat, YES sweat! This means if the person is coughing or sneezing the droplets can get into your eyes or on you skin thus infecting you if you have any cuts on your skin. This means micro cuts or tears that cannot be seen by the naked eye. This is why we see people covered from head to toe when dealing with infected patients. Now that we have a better understanding of how it is transmitted let me take you to a deeper level. According to the research at the University of Berkeley, they have discovered how the virus goes undetected in our immune systems for so long before it is manifested. The virus itself is covered in glycoproteins (attachment proteins) and these glycoprotiens have little spikes attached to the outside, think of a cactus. It has the outer skin with spikes attached. The virus is just like that, now these spikes attach to our cells and bind with them going undetected by attacking our white blood cells, then it penetrates our cells, reproducing until they are ready and break off exposing the virus. This is when we start to feel the symptoms. The issue with this virus is that most viruses are shaped like spheres, Ebola is not, it is like a string wound up so it gets more cells in a shorter amount of time.

This is why we have seen this picture so much since the outbreak, now you understand the reason behind the images. Ebola causes what is called a hemorrhagic fever=bleeding fever. Initially you start off with the fever being 100.4, body aches, muscle aches, sore throat and headaches. The second stage brings on vomiting, diarrhea and internal bleeding leaking through your eyes, ears, nose, mouth and rectum. Not a pretty picture right? The virus causes your internal organ to dissolve if it should run its full course.

This virus replicates at an alarming rate due to its size which is why it is so important for people to seek immediate attention at the beginning of the symptoms. Below you will find what the virus looks like once it has infected a cell. The sooner the treatment the higher rate of survival you may have although much is not known right now as to why some people survive and some don't, much of it has to do with the individuals immune system. One thing is known for sure, quick hydration is essential and of extreme importance, which makes sense if you are beginning to bleed out or have diarrhea. Time is of the essence! 

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/know-enemy/

Ebola is said to be carried in fruit bats which are digested and consumed by other animals, including humans in Africa. Recently the CNN reported that the WHO (World Health Organization) believe they have found the first patient that started the outbreak which is an African child who was 2 years old. They do not know how she contracted the virus and they will probably never know as the family who lived with the child all died sadly within weeks of the child dying as well. You can read about it more by clicking on patient zero. The virus is deadly and it can be scary considering how it can spread, how it kills. Yet, we cannot give into panic or fear or psychosis because the media is bombarding us with bad news instead of educational news. Instead of focusing on all of the dangers, why not focus on preventative measures. How not to catch Ebola! Think of it like this, influenza=the flu is said to kill 30,000 people a year, 30,000 people! Ebola has killed roughly 4,000 to 5,000 of the infected 10,000 people since last December. Why isn't anyone on alert about the flu? Ebola is the newbie on the block and western culture always fears what we don't understand or can control.

Ebola Ground Zero could have been avoided, this isn't its first rodeo people. It had an outbreak back in 1976 when it was discovered by Dr. Peter Piot and other co-founders as well. The virus was named after the closest river of where the first infection happened, the Ebola river. Back then the United States was warned that if the funding for finding a vaccination for this virus wasn't continued that one day it would come back to haunt us. The funding stopped and indeed our day of karmic retribution has come. Now we all live in a world where the possibility of a Pandemic is possible. It is possible to survive the virus but, it all depends on the precautionary measures that we as caregivers take. Among all the tragic things I have read, there does come a beacon of hope by the name of Fatu Kekula. A 22 year old nursing student who is her in her final year of nursing school nursed her mother, father, sister and cousin who all contracted the virus after her father had fallen ill. She nursed her mother, father and sister back to health. Sadly her cousin did not make it. Why is her story a beacon of hope? She nursed 4 sick patients and did not contract the virus. She did this without protective gear, that's right people, no goggles or suits. She invented her own protective equipment that comprised of trash bags, a mask, rubber boots, a raincoat and 4 pairs of gloves on each hand. She started IV fluids immediately and gave them medication, all while taking instructions via telephone from a physician who refused to visit her home. Fatu hasn't graduated yet and she managed to do something that most nurses here don't know how to do and that is care for a patient with extreme care. She is a prime example that if you take your time for preparation and do not cut corners while using logic with common sense and critical thinking, you can survive even the deadliest of viruses. CNN has the whole story if you'd like to read the article just click on Fatu Kekula.

The world we live in is ever changing and evolving, how is a civilization able to thrive without proper knowledge or education on an epidemic? Instead of flashing the dangers, flash the how not to's. Give us also inspiring stories like Fatu. Here is what I think should be done with anyone traveling in from any country that has had outbreaks. They should be quarantined for 21 days. This ensures the safety of not only the person but, our population as well. Also, healthcare providers that have cared for a sick Ebola patient should not be allowed to travel! at all period!! Are we as a people that naive that we can't get sick or worse selfish enough to not think of other people?There is recently a nurse who traveled in from West Africa and is upset because New Jersey has quarantined her, GOOD!! Your a nurse, use your critical thinking skills at least your common sense. You carry the virus and it has roughly a 6-10 day window up to 21 days before you show any symptoms. You flew in from West Africa where the viruses is on a rampage and you don't think you should be quarantined? Maybe they didn't treat you like the four seasons but, lets face it we are not equipped to deal with this kind of a situation. We have never been exposed to something this alarming before which again goes back to people fear what they do not understand.

It has taken me two and a half hours to write this blog, as I accumulate my thoughts and try to give you accurate information. I hope that this information has been useful for you, I simply want to take away some of the fear and provide you with knowledge. A simple thought occurred to me after reading all these articles and watching these videos. If we the caregivers are wearing masks to protect our mouths, nose, and throat wouldn't it make even more sense to give the patient a mask as well? Such a simple answer for the possible spread of Ebola through saliva. Here is the truth, the undeniable ugly truth, this virus has made its way all the way to us. Now what are we going to do about it? Panic and fear cannot be an option, I believe the way we manage healthcare will now be impacted forever. To all my nurses out there, do you still want to do this? or has this made you question if it's even worth it? I leave you with a link to watch a video about the facts of the virus, just click Ebola. May the force be with us all as this world changes.