Symptoms of Ebola
When individuals come into contact with the Ebola virus, they can expect to develop symptoms within a timeframe of two to 21 days. These symptoms typically consist of fever, intense headache, muscle aches, feelings of weakness, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. To confirm the presence of a viral infection, medical professionals may conduct blood tests that can detect low levels of white blood cells.
Diagnosing Ebola
Diagnosing Ebola can be challenging due to the similarity of its symptoms to other illnesses. In order to receive an Ebola diagnosis, it is necessary for an individual to have either come into contact with an infected person or been exposed to the bodily fluids or remains of an infected human or animal. However, it is worth noting that blood tests may not detect the presence of the Ebola virus until at least three days after the onset of symptoms. If a doctor suspects Ebola, the patient will be isolated to prevent the spread of the virus.