Ebola: A Highly Contagious Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
Ebola is a highly contagious infection that falls under the category of viral hemorrhagic fevers. These diseases can cause severe damage to the blood vessels, resulting in potentially life-threatening bleeding from various parts of the body, such as the internal organs, ears, eyes, and mouth. Unlike some other infectious diseases, Ebola is not transmitted through the air. Instead, it spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids or objects contaminated with these fluids.
In the past, Ebola had a devastating fatality rate of up to 90% among those infected. However, thanks to significant advancements in treatment and prevention methods, this number has decreased to around 50% in recent years.
Rabies: A Deadly Communicable Disease
Rabies is a highly contagious disease that can have devastating effects on its victims. The symptoms of rabies are severe and can include paralysis, hallucinations, and seizures. It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the saliva or nervous system tissue of an infected animal. This typically occurs when an infected animal bites a person or another animal, breaking the skin in the process. In the United States, bats are the primary carriers of the rabies virus.
While rabies is a serious and potentially fatal condition, it is preventable through prompt vaccination following exposure. Without treatment, however, the disease is almost always fatal. Once the virus enters the body, it travels through the nerves, causing significant damage along the way. One of the most troubling aspects of rabies is its ability to evade the body’s immune system, allowing it to reach and ultimately destroy the brain.