The Ebola Virus Attacks The Body

The Ebola virus originated in the depths of the Democratic Republic of the Congo along the Ebola River. Little else is known about its origin but researchers believe that it was first transmitted from a non-human primate or bat. The virus can be contracted several ways including direct contact and contact with infected blood or bodily fluid. It is easy as accidently touching infected saliva or changing a Band-Aid on an infected person. Symptoms of the virus can range greatly but fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained hemorrhaging are some of the most common. The Ebola virus attacks the body through the immune system, eventually breaking down everything in its path starting with the immune cells. The virus could ultimately

The Washington Post created a pictorial breakdown on how the virus runs its course throughout the body. It is summarized by the following paragraph. As the virus is transmitted from one human to another the virus starts its journey in the human body by attacking the immune cells that are located in the blood stream. These affected cells make their way to the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Then the affected cells move from these organs to other tissue and organs. Proteins are then released from the cells which cause inflammation. The inflammation begins to cause damage in the tissue that is lining the blood vessels. The damaged vessels then begin to leak. Microphages then release the proteins from the affected immune cells which starts causing blood to start clotting. These clots in the vessels block blood from getting to the organs. Red blood cells (RBCs) then begin to break down because they are moving in the vessels that are lined with clots. The spleen becomes overwhelmed with the broken vessels and the cells in the liver begin to be devastated. Then the blood starts to lose its clotting agent causing internal and external hemorrhaging characterized by blood flowing out of body orifices and into the body cavity. The adrenal glands begin to shut down and this is followed by dangerously low blood pressure and the ability to make the steroid hormone is diminished. Next the organs and the rest of the body begins to shut down simultaneously. Convulsions, caused by fluid that accumulates in the brain, could possible cause the spread of the virus to those in range of the projectile blood and bodily fluid if not properly protected. This could possibly result in death by hypotensive shock and/or multiple organ failure.