There is a lot of confusion and fear about Ebola…
so I went to a highly respected source who is a friend of mine for some information I can trust.
Here are the questions and answers from a short interview I did with Dr. Rod J. Rohrich, MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Rohrich, are you worried about a dangerous spread of Ebola in Dallas-Ft. Worth?
No Jane, not if the basic precautions are followed as the Ebola virus is transmitted only though direct contact with blood or body fluids. Ebola is not spread in the air or through water or food.
Is Ebola spread through casual contact, and if so, how?
It cannot be spread by casual contact as it needs “direct contact” which means the body fluids like blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine or feces have to have directly touched someones eyes, nose , mouth, an open wound or cut in the skin.
Is the spread of Ebola in any ways similar to the spread of the flu virus?
No, you can not get Ebola by coughing or sneezing only, unless the infected person directly sneezes saliva or mucus in your eye, nose, or mouth or via an open wound or cut in the skin. It is not spread like the flu, which is spread by coughing and sneezing via airborne particles.
Flu season is coming, what is the difference in symptoms?
Ebola usually does not present with coughing or sneezing but infected patients have a high fever, headache , diarrhea, severe vomiting and unexplained bleeding or bruising and muscle pain in most cases.
Should there be any kind of travel ban?
Usually not since the patient is usually only infectious once they have symptoms, so a 21 day quarantine as is being done in Dallas now for those exposed to the Ebola patient is warranted. However, I would not recommend that you visit West Africa where the Ebola outbreak is now epidemic.
Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Professor of Plastic Surgery
Distinguished Teacher Professor
Crystal Charity Ball Distinguished Chair in Plastic Surgery
Warren and Betty Woodward Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Department of Plastic Surgery
UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://drrohrich.com/
“Best care through discovery and innovation.“
Professor of Plastic Surgery
Distinguished Teacher Professor
Crystal Charity Ball Distinguished Chair in Plastic Surgery
Warren and Betty Woodward Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Department of Plastic Surgery
UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://drrohrich.com/
“Best care through discovery and innovation.“
Dr. Rohrich abstracted these answers from Facts about the Ebola Virus -UT Southwestern, information provided by the Centers for Disease Control – CDC website.
I don’t know if this puts your mind at ease but it is the best information I have right now. If there are questions about Ebola you would like me to ask Dr. Rohrich or another medical professional, please put them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to.
First time I’ve seen your website (or is this a “blog”?). Delightful and most informative collection. The official line seems to be that ebola is hard to catch; however, I don’t understand why responders and care givers need to dress like they were dealing with nuclear materials. Thanks for all your effort, Jane, and very best wishes.
Bob T.
Hi Bob, thanks so much for the comments. There is still a lot to learn about Ebola, I’m trying.
Outstanding, as always, Jane.
Thank you for presenting the facts in such a simple, straight-forward manner.
Thank you Darren, still lots to find out here, but I appreciate the feedback.
Great piece! I love Dr Rohrich as well! He’s not only a great plastic surgeon! He is just a wonderful person in general! Love your blog! Thanks for the topic…keep up the good work!
Thank you Jenny, appreciate the comment!