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Overview
Ebola virus disease, also referred to simply as Ebola, is one of the conditions that are known as extremely deadly unless addressed within the shortest period. Because of its extraordinarily short incubation period, it is very easy to spot, yet the management of patients needs requires immediate actions, specific medications, and an elaborate action plan. For this reason, the disease still takes thousands of lives. According to the latest data, Ebola has affected the Democratic Republic of Congo greatly (World Health Organization, 2017).
Contributing Factors
In retrospect, what made Ebola so dangerous was the unpredictability of its outbreak. Even though it affected people fast and, thus, was supposedly easy to locate, the fact that it attacked the African populations that were the least suspecting of its possibility and even existence that made it so deadly. Furthermore, since it was crucial to isolate patients with Ebola immediately to prevent the epidemics within a community, the faulty infrastructure of the community also affected the degree to which the Ebola virus spread (World Health Organization, 2017).
Prevention Strategies
Raising awareness can be viewed as one of the key tools for preventing instances of Ebola in African communities. Besides, the provision of basic healthcare services must be regarded as a necessity. Since most of the community members live beyond the poverty threshold, and because of the unavailability of even the essential healthcare services, the people living in the specified areas of Africa become extremely vulnerable and, therefore, are likely to contract the virus. Consequently, the focus on supporting the identified communities by offering them free healthcare services and providing them with detailed information about Ebola, including the means of preventing the epidemics, identifying key symptoms, and contacting the nearby healthcare facilities, must be regarded as a necessity (World Health Organization, 2017).
Signs and Symptoms
As a rule, the development of Ebola starts with a rapid increase in a patients temperature to the point where it reaches high fever. A severe headache, muscle pain, and weakness are also typically associated with the early stages of disease development. As a patients condition deteriorates, Ebola manifests itself in diarrhea, vomiting, and hemorrhage. The symptoms typically appear within two weeks to 20 days after the contraction of the virus, although some patients may display the signs of Ebola within the first several days after contracting it (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014).
Diagnostic Tests
The type of test that must be taken to determine the further course of action hinges on the stage of Ebolas progress. Typically, within the first several days after the supposed contraction of Ebola, Antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing must be taken to diagnose the problem. The specified step is followed by the IgM ELISA, the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the subsequent isolation of the Ebola virus (Broadhurst, Brooks, & Pollock, 2016). However, in case the disease has progressed to a more serious stage, it is crucial to use the IgM and IgG antibodies. If the disease has reached the stage at which a patient can no longer fight it and ultimately dies, retrospective Immunohistochemistry testing, PCR, and virus isolation are carried out (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).
Advanced Practice Nursing Role and Management Strategies
The role that an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) plays in the management of an Ebola outbreak can hardly be underrated. An APN controls the process of raising awareness among target populations, identifying vulnerable members thereof, and directing further nursing efforts to support them and localize the epidemics. Also, consultations must be offered to the people that may be affected by the disease to secure them from contracting Ebola. As a result, opportunities for managing the problem successfully and reducing the death toll within affected communities can be created (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).
Medical/Pharmacological Management
The humanitarian emergency in question also requires the consistent supply of medications to the people that have developed signs and symptoms of Ebola. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Ebola, even though the problem has been researched extensively. To manage the needs of Ebola patients and provide them with palliative care, healthcare practitioners use fluids and electrolytes, blood transfusions, medications for reducing blood pressure, etc., and provide patients with oxygen (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The specified strategies help alleviate the pain experienced by patients with Ebola.
Follow-up Care
Even though Ebola is known to be deadly in most cases, and there is currently no cure for it, around 10,000 survivors have been registered so far (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). For the patients that managed to survive Ebola, a detailed assessment of a patients condition, including their musculoskeletal system, senses, mental health, etc., is required. Afterward, the assistance of a social worker is strongly recommended to manage possible issues of unemployment, social stigma, etc. finally, the tests such as Ebola RT-PCR, IgG, IgM antibody, etc., are advised to control the further changes in a patients condition (World Health Organization, 2016).
Conclusion
Despite numerous measures taken to address Ebola, the disease remains incurable. However, it can be prevented once awareness is raised among vulnerable populations and appropriate healthcare services are provided. Creating a comprehensive program aimed at assisting vulnerable populations and Ebola patients, as well as supporting its few survivors, must be regarded as a crucial step toward managing the problem.
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