Ebola medical therapy
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Ebola Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Postmortem Care |
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Ebola medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Ebola medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Guillermo Rodriguez Nava, M.D. [2]
Overview
No specific antiviral drug has been proven to be effective against Ebola. Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear. The following basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the chances of survival: providing intravenous fluids (IV) and balancing electrolytes (body salts), maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, and treating other infections if they occur.
Medical Therapy
Treatment for Ebola is primarily supportive. There are no targeted antiviral therapies currently in use. Symptoms of Ebola are treated as they appear.
Bleeding
Replete coagulation factors with fresh frozen plasma if available, and transfuse with packed red blood cells and platelets as needed. Invasive procedures should be avoided to prevent further bleeding.
Dehydration
Replete with intravenous fluids that include electrolyte repletion.
Shock
Treat with a combination of intravenous fluids, vasopressors, and blood products as needed.
Hypoxia
Treat with supplemental oxygen including intubation if deemed necessary.
Superimposed Infections
Treating any complicating infections with empiric antibiotics.
References