Suggest Ways To Deal With Ebola Epidemic

Posted on Tue, 7 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 7 Oct 2014 Answered on

Mon, 3 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi! I'm not sure which specialist I would choose for this but with this whole EBOLA epidemic in XXXXXXX now, I'm really worried. Worried sick. I'm wondering what I can do to lessen the chances of contracting this deadly disease. How can I boost my immune system fast and in a big way?

Answered by Dr. Divakara (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Relax and Don't panic.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

First of all relax , stay calm and don't panic. This is the best thing to do now. Know that you can contact Ebola from an infected person's contact and not just taking Air or drinking water in XXXXXXX

Follow these precautions and you shall be safe :

1. Maintain good Hygiene : Wash your Hands thoroughly before you eat and after you go to toilet . If your hands are contaminated by touching some persons who are sick , immediately wash them using a sanitiser and don't touch your eyes , mouth till your hands are cleaned thoroughly.

2. Stay away from sick persons : If any body coughs ask them to cover their mouth and you try to stay far from them . Also avoid contact with sick persons and sharing of clothes or utensils with sick persons .

3. Keep your home and surrounding cleans.

Daily intake of Citrus fruit juice like Lemon juice and Orange Juice can provide some immunity . You can take these daily .

Follow these precautions and you will be fine .

Any clarifications feel free to ask .
Happy to answer .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (5 minutes later)

Thank you but studies have shown that it CAN in fact be an airborne disease. they have done studies where pigs catch it from separate cages. what do i do if it is airborne :

Answered by Dr. Divakara (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
NOT Airborne

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Ebola is transmitted through air only for short distance . Like if a person coughs or sneeze the nearby person can get it from him not everyone in the city or in the country .

I am quoting the statement given in WHO website , kindly go through it . No where it's mentioned that Ebola is Airborne

"Ebola then spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids."

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (7 hours later)

Yes I see. So what if I am on a train, and the person directly next to me sneezes in my direction, and that person has ebola. Of course I won't know that the person has ebola. So what do I do? What can I do to keep myself safe?

Answered by Dr. Divakara (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wear mask .

Detailed Answer:
HI

Good Point . If you are in public place where it's crowded and the chance of transmission is high , then you better wear mask to your face and goggles to your eyes .

That much is enough for protection . Any exposure to other areas can be washed , that much will suffice .

Also avoid as much as possible going to place where contact with people becomes unavoidable .

May I know from which place you are from ?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj