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re: First confirmed case of Ebola in US
Posted on 9/30/14 at 7:55 pm to EKG
Posted on 9/30/14 at 7:55 pm to EKG
quote:
Thankfully, it sounds like he's in the very early stages of the disease process.
Which is good from several standpoints. The earlier they caught it, the less likely he is to have transmitted it very widely.
Also, catching it early and giving him treatment in a top-notch facility increases his chances of weathering the storm.
1
Posted on 9/30/14 at 7:55 pm to Kcoyote
I still think it's exceptionally easy to have someone who is just starting to present symptoms or just shy of presenting to be a weapon.
Air travel, tourist destinations, hell, the stock exchange...
Simply shaking a hand, leaving a sheen on a pole or hand hold on a bus...
If I'm thinking about that, someone else who has more evil intentions is too.
Air travel, tourist destinations, hell, the stock exchange...
Simply shaking a hand, leaving a sheen on a pole or hand hold on a bus...
If I'm thinking about that, someone else who has more evil intentions is too.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 7:58 pm to Kcoyote
quote:
Airborne mutations are rare as hell though. Literally what makes a virus airborne is its outer casing. Assuming a virus can just change like that isn't very likely. It can happen, but it isn't as likely as one would predict.
No, its not very likely. Most of the experts give it a very very small chance of actually developing the mutation.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 7:58 pm to Jobu93
Thing is though, ebola ISNT supposed to be transmited through fomites (door knobs, bus rails, buttons, etc.). It isn't supposed to survive outside of the body. However, it appears it is to some degree. And the CDC and WHO won't acknowledge the studies proving that for fear of even more panic.
Not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, I just think its odd they cannot contain this infection from people who are literally head to toe in protective equipment.
Not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, I just think its odd they cannot contain this infection from people who are literally head to toe in protective equipment.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:00 pm to Jobu93
quote:
I still think it's exceptionally easy to have someone who is just starting to present symptoms or just shy of presenting to be a weapon.
Yep.
Sad but true world we live in now. If someone is willing to blow themselves up why wouldnt they also be willing to go this route.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:00 pm to EKG
It's some scary stuff, in the 80's there were prominent dr.s convinced that by 2000 we'd be burning bodies in the streets from Aids. Education and precaution can help a lot and be a game changer. But the issue with Ebola is how fast it progresses. We all need to start taking it very seriously.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:01 pm to MaroonNation
This is a very creative grind I must say
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:03 pm to Old Sarge
And just like doctors were wrong about how easily (or difficult) AIDS is transmitted, I think they're wrong about how easily Ebola is transmitted. Precaution is going to help a ton though as everyone with a fever is going to want to be checked for Ebola if this goes "viral".
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:03 pm to kilo
quote:
The fear is it mutates and becomes airborne.
The odds of ebola spontaneously acquiring a mutation which allows for airborne transmission AND that strain successfully replicating are exceedingly small. You're better off worrying about what you'll do with your future lottery winnings.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:06 pm to kilo
quote:
No, its not very likely. Most of the experts give it a very very small chance of actually developing the mutation.
I saw a doctor discussing earlier that we've already seen various hemorrhagic fever mutations.
Wasn't the outbreak in 2009 a different strain?
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:12 pm to EKG
Strains don't mean it changes its overall nature. Ebola is an enveloped virus. Meaning it can change rapidly once its inside the host, evading the immune system (its high death rate), but it is not transmitted as easily as non-enveloped viruses. Non-enveloped viruses have a protein coat but no envelope, and are not so easily degraded outside the body.
This is why it is extremely hard for an enveloped virus to suddenly lose its envelope and develop a protein coat to become nonenveloped. It would be like asking you to spontaneously grow another stomach because you ate too much.
This is why it is extremely hard for an enveloped virus to suddenly lose its envelope and develop a protein coat to become nonenveloped. It would be like asking you to spontaneously grow another stomach because you ate too much.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:13 pm to EKG
quote:
Wasn't the outbreak in 2009 a different strain?
There have always been a number of different strains, at least according to the articles I have read.
There is actually a strain where the mortality rate is very low.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:17 pm to Kcoyote
Makes sound scientific sense; I just don't think we know enough yet.
That said, a physician friend shared this non-alarmist article earlier.
It's a good take on ebola in the US.
Don’t panic over Ebola in America
That said, a physician friend shared this non-alarmist article earlier.
It's a good take on ebola in the US.
Don’t panic over Ebola in America
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:19 pm to kilo
Indeed. Strains are different in their molecular structure as Ebola is just a giant strand of RNA that just so happens to frick cells up. Once it gets a different but still similar RNA structure through random mutations, it is classified as a different strain. However, it still doesn't mean it can randomly change to become airborne in some way. Viruses mutate extremely well, better than bacteria, but they still are not living beings.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:22 pm to EKG
Agreed. It won't be a problem here. Our healthcare system can handle this easier than it handles flu season.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:22 pm to Kcoyote
quote:
Kcoyote
Thanks for the insights.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:22 pm to MaroonNation
Don't give them anymore excuses.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:26 pm to kilo
I'll take over BamaDoc's duties of being the resident physician on the rant in 2 more years. Gunnin for ya brah.
But yeah, I look up on this stuff every day and my med school research project is on epidemiology.
But yeah, I look up on this stuff every day and my med school research project is on epidemiology.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:29 pm to Kcoyote
quote:
med school
Well, continued success in med school.
Posted on 9/30/14 at 8:29 pm to au21tigers
quote:
Who is Ebola playing? Vandy?
quote:
Indiana
So the updated line looks like this?
Ebola > Indiana > Missouri > South Carolina > Vanderbilt > Umass?
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