Ebola is a highly contagious and deadly virus that has been plaguing the African continent for decades. The virus attacks the human body, causing a range of severe symptoms that ultimately lead to hemorrhagic fever and, ultimately, death.

Although there have been several outbreaks of Ebola in the past, it wasn’t until 2014 that the world truly became familiar with this gruesome disease when a major outbreak occurred in West Africa, killing thousands of people.

In order to understand the impact of Ebola on the human body, it’s important to take a journey through the body during an Ebola infection, where you’ll see how this virus works its way through the different systems of the body.

This article will outline the journey through the body during an Ebola infection using a video journey created by medical experts in the field.

The Journey Begins: The Entrance of Ebola

The Ebola virus enters the body through contact with contaminated blood, bodily fluids, or tissues from infected animals or humans. The first point of contact is usually the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes such as the nose or mouth.

From here, the virus makes its way into the bloodstream and begins to replicate itself in the lymph nodes.

Stage 1: The Incubation Period

After entering the body, there is a short incubation period where the Ebola virus begins to multiply in the lymph nodes.

During this stage, the virus doesn’t cause any significant symptoms, and the individual may not even know they’ve been infected.

Stage 2: The Invasion of the Immune System

The next stage of the journey is where the Ebola virus begins to invade the immune system. The virus targets the white blood cells of the body, also known as macrophages and dendritic cells, which play a critical role in fighting off infections.

By targeting these cells, the virus is able to reduce the body’s ability to mount an immune response, making it easier for the virus to continue to replicate and spread throughout the body.

Stage 3: The Attack on the Organs

As the virus continues to proliferate in the body, it begins to attack other organs, including the liver, spleen, and kidneys. During this stage, the individual will start to experience symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

These symptoms are caused by the damage inflicted by the virus on these vital organs.

Stage 4: Hemorrhagic Fever

As the virus continues to spread throughout the body, it can lead to a condition known as hemorrhagic fever. Hemorrhagic fever is characterized by bleeding from the mouth, eyes, nose, and other areas of the body.

During this stage, the virus begins to attack the blood vessels, causing them to become leaky and leading to internal bleeding.

Stage 5: The Final Journey

The final stage of Ebola infection is characterized by multiple organ failure, shock, and death. By this stage, the body has been seriously damaged by the virus and is no longer able to function.

Individuals who reach this stage have a low chance of survival.

Conclusion: The Devastating Impact of Ebola

The journey through the body during an Ebola infection is a devastating one, with each stage leaving the body more vulnerable to the next.

While the medical community has made significant progress in developing treatments and vaccines for Ebola in recent years, there is still much work to be done to fully understand this deadly virus and its impact on the human body. By continuing to learn about this disease and working to prevent its spread, we can work to eliminate Ebola once and for all.