Ebola- your questions answered

stephl3055 · October 2014

acethebase said:

Also if it comes around our area or already is, what precautions would you advise us to take?

As one of the many bumpies on here in the Dallas area, I have done nothing out of the ordinary. The Care Now clinic the deputy went to when he thought he had ebola was about 2 miles from my house. Yes, it concerned me thinking he might have kids in the local school/daycare and wondering where his wife worked (if she did), but I didn't go crazy and barricade myself in my home. I don't travel for work (nor am I a nurse) and very rarely leave my little suburban bubble so I feel safe.

But I am taking normal precautions I would take on any other day. I wipe down the shopping cart, I don't stand too close to others, I move away from people who appear to be sick, I wash my hands often, etc. I know ebola isn't spread on shopping carts or people sneezing in my general vicinity, but I don't see the need to do anything drastic. I know the people I have close, frequent contact with have not been exposed to anyone with ebola and I feel confident in going through my daily routine.

Now, if 100 people in DFW are diagnosed with ebola tomorrow, that is a different story. In that case I probably would skip church and stop going to the mall. But I would continue to work and I would evaluate our daycare situation. But 3 cases in the DFW metroplex (+ million+ people) don't scare me.

muffyvonmuff · October 2014

dknight413 said:

Here's my question:

Has this virus mutated?

I think it has. We have some evidence of that already (genomic surveillance) and also it's just not behaving like it used to (isolated outbreaks that burned themselves out). Also somewhere I saw a report that the levels of virus in the blood was sky-high in Liberia victims where previous outbreaks had lower levels of virus in the blood. This would explain why this outbreak seems to be SO contagious, esp to healthcare workers who should be using personal protective equipment.
^^ this is my nightmare. @muffyvonmuff‌ hadn't he just started working for NBC as well, like, the day before? World's worst first day of work. So glad to hear he is doing better.

He had been traveling all over the world for years documenting villages to try and show the world why these places need help. He had befriended so many tribes that NBC contacted him to go back there as a middleman since the people have known him for so long and trusted him. NBC had tried earlier this summer but Africans are private and they refused to allow Americans and their camera crews in. He contracted the virus helping a family clean out the home and car of a person that had recently died from Ebola.

Since he's from Providence I hear a lot of negative things from people about how he "shouldn't have been allowed back into the country" and "should have just been left to die over there and not infect everyone here." That its his fault (talk about victim blaming) he contracted the virus. All I know is if it was my child/husband/mother/father/brother/bestfriend I would want them to be offered to best medical help possible.

If Americans had half the compassion and empathy that he had, for going back and trying to help, we would be better nation for it.

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

No. Mrsa is a bacteria. It lives on our skin. Only causes bad infections in susceptible hosts. It's a concern BBC of its resistance, but it's treatable. Viruses need a host to replicate and do damage. They just can't live that long. They either replicate or die.

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

baconface said:

carriet2018 said:

#ladyday

Let's give this the credit it deserves.

The exact quote is: "Today is the lady day of their quarantine."

Does anyone else agree that this is worthy of Shakespeare himself?

Lol! I just saw this! I've been known to say, 'something's rotten in the state of Cece' = poop

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

huntjul said:
Here's my question:

Has this virus mutated?

I think it has. We have some evidence of that already (genomic surveillance) and also it's just not behaving like it used to (isolated outbreaks that burned themselves out). Also somewhere I saw a report that the levels of virus in the blood was sky-high in Liberia victims where previous outbreaks had lower levels of virus in the blood. This would explain why this outbreak seems to be SO contagious, esp to healthcare workers who should be using personal protective equipment.

Let's keep this in perspective. Viruses mutate all the time. RNA transcription is an imperfect process, so micro mutations happen all the time. The importance is when there is a clinically significant mutation, especially if it confers resistance to therapy. Viruses are at highest risk of mutating to be resistant to therapy when therapy is not taken as directed. I repeat, very important to take antivirals as prescribed. I don't think micromutations of Ebola are of large concern here beyond typical viral mutations. Maybe once therapy begins on a larger scale but not at this point.

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

baconface said:
@Phalaenopsis You missed your calling as a great American poet.

The only poetic autocorrect in the history of autocorrects

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

acethebase said:
Also if it comes around our area or already is, what precautions would you advise us to take?

I honestly don't believe it will get to the point in the US where the general public would be in danger. I know I keep saying that, but it's true. There is no reason to not continue doing your daily activities as usual. You are more likely to catch the flu this year. If you are a health care worker on the front lines, then you are excluded from previous statement t.

acethebase · October 2014

Also, thank you so much @Phalaenopsis‌ for starting this thread and for everyone trying their best to answer questions! It's definitely made me feel less anxiety stricken over the whole situation!!

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

layali said:
I think this is the most levelheaded discussion about Ebola in the history of the interwebs ever.

But in all seriousness - thank you @Phalaenopsis for sharing your expertise with us.

Your welcome!

muffyvonmuff said:
Just popping in to say that DH is close friends with the NBC cameraman. He got the disease in Africa trying to bring light of the situation to the rest of the world since they are in such dire need for help. He is seriously one of the most caring and nicest guys He also is really smart and had countless offers to work on wall street and become rich in finance, but chose to dedicate years of his life traveling and helping villages in third world countries.

Anyway he had a blood transfusion with an Ebola survivor who had the antibodies. Our friend talked to his Dad over the weekend and he's doing great and is going to be ok.

tl;dr I know someone who got Ebola and they are going to be fine

That's great news, thanks for sharing! If he's doing fine and completely recovers, potentially he can share his plasma to help future victims recover.

Amjoy25 · October 2014

Donald Trump is LIT-rally one of the worst human beings on this planet.

Phalaenopsis · October 2014

Amjoy25 said:
Donald Trump is LIT-rally one of the worst human beings on this planet.

Accurate.

muffyvonmuff · October 2014

dknight413 said:

muffyvonmuff said:

dknight413 said:

Here's my question:

Has this virus mutated?

I think it has. We have some evidence of that already (genomic surveillance) and also it's just not behaving like it used to (isolated outbreaks that burned themselves out). Also somewhere I saw a report that the levels of virus in the blood was sky-high in Liberia victims where previous outbreaks had lower levels of virus in the blood. This would explain why this outbreak seems to be SO contagious, esp to healthcare workers who should be using personal protective equipment.
^^ this is my nightmare. @muffyvonmuff‌ hadn't he just started working for NBC as well, like, the day before? World's worst first day of work. So glad to hear he is doing better.

He had been traveling all over the world for years documenting villages to try and show the world why these places need help. He had befriended so many tribes that NBC contacted him to go back there as a middleman since the people have known him for so long and trusted him. NBC had tried earlier this summer but Africans are private and they refused to allow Americans and their camera crews in. He contracted the virus helping a family clean out the home and car of a person that had recently died from Ebola.

Since he's from Providence I hear a lot of negative things from people about how he "shouldn't have been allowed back into the country" and "should have just been left to die over there and not infect everyone here." That its his fault (talk about victim blaming) he contracted the virus. All I know is if it was my child/husband/mother/father/brother/bestfriend I would want them to be offered to best medical help possible.

If Americans had half the compassion and empathy that he had, for going back and trying to help, we would be better nation for it.

Oh do you mean like Donald Trump? Do not even get me started.

ETA for more appropriate source:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/donald-trump-says-ebola-doctors-must-suffer-the-consequences-9646445.html

He is such a fuck stick honestly. Maybe he should just keep to his great financial advice... Hows those 11 bankruptcies Mr. Trump?

vvg28 · October 2014

Amjoy25 said:
I saw a Nightline about Ebola, and the way they are developing the treatment is crazy smart! So there is a treatment but it hasn't been through any clinical trials on humans, and it takes months (?) to make it.

Just popping in to say that. Carry on.

I think tobacco from Kentucky was used to make the medicine used on the doctor that was treated at Emory.

https://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/04/3365612/drug-given-to-american-ebola-victims.html

Amjoy25 · October 2014

vvg28 said:

I saw a Nightline about Ebola, and the way they are developing the treatment is crazy smart! So there is a treatment but it hasn't been through any clinical trials on humans, and it takes months (?) to make it. Just popping in to say that. Carry on.
I think tobacco from Kentucky was used to make the medicine used on the doctor that was treated at Emory. https://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/04/3365612/drug-given-to-american-ebola-victims.html

Yeah they use tobacco leaves. Pretty friggin cool.

Herefishy87 · October 2014

muffyvonmuff said:

dknight413 said:

muffyvonmuff said:

dknight413 said:

huntjul said:
Here's my question:

Has this virus mutated?

I think it has. We have some evidence of that already (genomic surveillance) and also it's just not behaving like it used to (isolated outbreaks that burned themselves out). Also somewhere I saw a report that the levels of virus in the blood was sky-high in Liberia victims where previous outbreaks had lower levels of virus in the blood. This would explain why this outbreak seems to be SO contagious, esp to healthcare workers who should be using personal protective equipment.
^^ this is my nightmare.

@muffyvonmuff‌ hadn't he just started working for NBC as well, like, the day before? World's worst first day of work. So glad to hear he is doing better.

He had been traveling all over the world for years documenting villages to try and show the world why these places need help. He had befriended so many tribes that NBC contacted him to go back there as a middleman since the people have known him for so long and trusted him. NBC had tried earlier this summer but Africans are private and they refused to allow Americans and their camera crews in. He contracted the virus helping a family clean out the home and car of a person that had recently died from Ebola.

Since he's from Providence I hear a lot of negative things from people about how he "shouldn't have been allowed back into the country" and "should have just been left to die over there and not infect everyone here." That its his fault (talk about victim blaming) he contracted the virus. All I know is if it was my child/husband/mother/father/brother/bestfriend I would want them to be offered to best medical help possible.

If Americans had half the compassion and empathy that he had, for going back and trying to help, we would be better nation for it.

Oh do you mean like Donald Trump? Do not even get me started.

ETA for more appropriate source:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/donald-trump-says-ebola-doctors-must-suffer-the-consequences-9646445.html

He is such a fuck stick honestly. Maybe he should just keep to his great financial advice... Hows those 11 bankruptcies Mr. Trump?

#fuckstick

SweetCFly · October 2014

Amjoy25 said:

PinkDahLia44 said:

@SweetCFly‌ , 3 RNs to 1 pt?!? Where is your hospital getting the staff?

I would hope this is commonplace in an ICU setting (which it should be a smaller ratio)....if not, your hospital needs to re-evaluate it's safety efforts.

ETA reading fail.

3 RN's to 1 patient?????11!!!! Wha????!!11

---

Yes 3 RN to 1 pt! Insanity... 1 bedside RN, 1 RN assist in the room to make sure the bedside RN isn't breaching PPE/endangering themselves at all and 1 RN outside for designated "running", med prep, and most importantly PPE donning/doffing checks and assistance (so really that 3rd RN could be shared between pts I guess). Recruiting nurses from MICU (maybe other ICUs if necessary) and some units from Trauma... We have a lot of volunteers already. I think they also (ideally) want an L&D nurse available as well as peds in case we get kiddos or a preg mamma. I know they're invested in this because they're talking about closing beds to allow for staffing and they HATE closing beds and losing #allthemonies. My manager and director would prob rather triple all our RNs and put charge back in #s before closing a bed lol. We are usually 1 RN:1-2 pts @Amjoy25‌ @PinkDahLia44‌.

Ycu2013 · October 2014

Why do you think about this?

https://www.spiritscienceandmetaphysics.com/ebo-lie-man-living-in-ghana-confirms-ebola-is-a-hoax/

bkeane619 · October 2014

Ycu2013 said:
Why do you think about this?

https://www.spiritscienceandmetaphysics.com/ebo-lie-man-living-in-ghana-confirms-ebola-is-a-hoax/

PinkDahLia44 · October 2014

SweetCFly said:

Amjoy25 said:

PinkDahLia44 said:

@SweetCFly‌ , 3 RNs to 1 pt?!? Where is your hospital getting the staff?

I would hope this is commonplace in an ICU setting (which it should be a smaller ratio)....if not, your hospital needs to re-evaluate it's safety efforts.

ETA reading fail.

3 RN's to 1 patient?????11!!!! Wha????!!11

---

Yes 3 RN to 1 pt! Insanity... 1 bedside RN, 1 RN assist in the room to make sure the bedside RN isn't breaching PPE/endangering themselves at all and 1 RN outside for designated "running", med prep, and most importantly PPE donning/doffing checks and assistance (so really that 3rd RN could be shared between pts I guess). Recruiting nurses from MICU (maybe other ICUs if necessary) and some units from Trauma... We have a lot of volunteers already. I think they also (ideally) want an L&D nurse available as well as peds in case we get kiddos or a preg mamma. I know they're invested in this because they're talking about closing beds to allow for staffing and they HATE closing beds and losing #allthemonies. My manager and director would prob rather triple all our RNs and put charge back in #s before closing a bed lol. We are usually 1 RN:1-2 pts @Amjoy25‌ @PinkDahLia44‌.

@sweetcfly, are they only using volunteers? I don't work ICU (not trained in critical care and never had any desire to be) so I am not concerned that I would ever be in a situation where I would have to care for an Ebola pt (at least in the worst stages of the disease, unless of course the unthinkable were to happen and the hospital was just filled with Ebola pts) but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable volunteering for that position with my young son at home and another on the way.

I'm very happy that there are nurses who are more selfless than I am.

dovetail223 · October 2014

@Phalaenopsis‌ I thought of you when I read this today

https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/man-infected-ebola-misinformation-casual-contact-cable-news

SweetCFly · October 2014

@PinkDahLia44‌ yep, right now it's volunteers only. They are hoping to keep it that way... And yeah as awesome and important as I think it is (and "safe" IF done correctly), no way in helllllll I am volunteering with my little guy at home to think about. Pretty much everyone else I have talked to on my unit with small children feels the same. A lot of the volunteers are my youngish single friends, and older RNs with kids who are grown. Now, the nurses from Trauma are anther breed. Can't speak for them.

jennlin · October 2014

while we're posting links, this article gave me the feels:

https://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/10/17/356402872/3-year-old-ebola-survivor-proposes-to-nurse?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2041

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