General Discussion

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)

72. Ebola is highly infectious because it takes only 1-10 virus particles

Sun Oct 5, 2014, 11:59 AM

Oct 2014

to cause infection. This is clearly defined and understood scientific terminology that epidemiologists and virologists use. Nothing vague or uncertain about it.

And then, depending on how fast you start supportive care and how high quality that supportive care is, you may or may not be one of the 70% who die of it.

We are fortunate that Ebola is a "fragile" virus in the environment, meaning it dies quickly. Unless it is safe inside a deposit of proteinaceous debris (commonly known as bodily fluid), in which case survival is highly variable and could be a week. And it survives VERY well in cold/freezing temperatures. So sloppy cleaning/disinfection of the environment could leave infectious virus particles around on surfaces.

"Easier to catch" is just a vague term with no scientific meaning.

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Ebola: I'm dumbfounded... [View all] PCIntern Oct 2014 OP

You're right. The only rational solution is to just stay under the bed (please take extra underwear) PSPS Oct 2014 #1

That was NOT the point of the post. PCIntern Oct 2014 #3

I certainly don't get the point of your post. BillZBubb Oct 2014 #77

It requires an all-out approach. Octafish Oct 2014 #2

Well said, my dear PCIntern. I can't add anything but K&R. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Oct 2014 #4

Viruses and bacteria are so prevalent because there are billions of them everywhere... Avalux Oct 2014 #5

Did I not just say that it is harder PCIntern Oct 2014 #7

You said 'harder to catch in some respects, but just as easy in others'. Demit Oct 2014 #27

Yes: PCIntern Oct 2014 #28

Ebola is not transmitted the same as a cold or the flu. Avalux Oct 2014 #60

Spittle >>>>> into somebody else's eyes/mouth/nose just sufficient to kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #73

That is direct personal contact, still not the same as a cold or the flu. n/t Avalux Oct 2014 #74

I never said it was the same as colds of flu, which are aerosolized and kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #76

My apologies.... Avalux Oct 2014 #80

It's also not healthy to live in a sterile environment. Marrah_G Oct 2014 #9

THAT is the POST OF THE YEAR! PCIntern Oct 2014 #30

Hehe- thanks Marrah_G Oct 2014 #31

With that in mind... PCIntern Oct 2014 #32

Ebola is highly infectious because it takes only 1-10 virus particles kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #72

Which jury are you serving on? Boomer Oct 2014 #6

Does every post have to be a dissertation? PCIntern Oct 2014 #8

Where are you going with this? Boomer Oct 2014 #10

All right... PCIntern Oct 2014 #12

I have no idea why 1dogleft Oct 2014 #33

I have been here ten years... PCIntern Oct 2014 #34

It wasn't reasonable to bring up JFK Texasgal Oct 2014 #36

I completely understood your OP. cwydro Oct 2014 #13

Thank you. I'm truly appreciative. PCIntern Oct 2014 #14

they are exposed by any definition, but not infected magical thyme Oct 2014 #11

Absolutely…BUT PCIntern Oct 2014 #15

I live in Maine, so for the moment I feel lucky. magical thyme Oct 2014 #16

Stephen King Territory! PCIntern Oct 2014 #18

I thought about Ebola while getting my nails done the other day ecstatic Oct 2014 #17

Try being a dentist… PCIntern Oct 2014 #20

Only the hysterical people. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #57

You're right…I'm the one splattered with people's blood and secretions. PCIntern Oct 2014 #59

So where are your hysterical posts on HepC? Barack_America Oct 2014 #61

One will kill you in a very ugly way up to 90% of the time seveneyes Oct 2014 #19

Do you know the lifespan of the Ebola virus outside a host? Also..I wonder what chemicals... BlueJazz Oct 2014 #21

It would vary as to the ambient temperature, nature of the surface, PCIntern Oct 2014 #24

Ebola is easily killed by disinfectants that kill nonenveloped viruses. kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #75

Also, I'm cutting the people who are minimizing the potential risks some slack ecstatic Oct 2014 #22

I understand and respect that... PCIntern Oct 2014 #23

True. Did you see this article? ecstatic Oct 2014 #25

I hadn't. I like that. PCIntern Oct 2014 #26

I saw that. 840high Oct 2014 #37

It's also training. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #58

I think the danger is significant that it will spread here, yet I am not all that worried. Chemisse Oct 2014 #29

refraining from touching your eyes or nose is harder than you imagine magical thyme Oct 2014 #35

I've started carrying wipes in 840high Oct 2014 #38

I have my doubts about this stuff, too. ladyVet Oct 2014 #39

Well, that's how disease spreads PCIntern Oct 2014 #40

That's a normal way for a human to think. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #53

"Colds, various flus, childhood diseases, parasitic worms, head lice" customerserviceguy Oct 2014 #41

This is fear-mongering. elias49 Oct 2014 #42

You are dead wrong... PCIntern Oct 2014 #43

We're all gonna die!!! (That better?) nt elias49 Oct 2014 #46

Nothing in between, right? PCIntern Oct 2014 #47

Read your own OP PC! elias49 Oct 2014 #48

What the hell are you talking about? PCIntern Oct 2014 #49

Just hypothesizing .. like you. elias49 Oct 2014 #50

Now you'll walk it back... PCIntern Oct 2014 #51

There are a lot of things at work Warpy Oct 2014 #44

that's very true, Warpy: PCIntern Oct 2014 #45

I've been wondering about the food-borne illnesses that seem to be Nay Oct 2014 #63

Interesting... PCIntern Oct 2014 #64

I didn't know that was one of its names, but yes, I am familiar with that Nay Oct 2014 #67

Often it is the utensil used to cut your salad was used for something else PCIntern Oct 2014 #70

"We got this. Nothing to see. Move along, people." valerief Oct 2014 #52

…and how dare you insolently question our methodology? PCIntern Oct 2014 #54

Well, America does have the best press conferences in the world, so I guess valerief Oct 2014 #55

if it gets bad enough, Americans will start wearing masks and gloves esp. on public transportation librechik Oct 2014 #56

read this ny times q&a; the virus does not spread readily unblock Oct 2014 #62

the earliest symptoms are fever and headache magical thyme Oct 2014 #65

i'm not saying it can never be spread to people who had no idea they came into contact with unblock Oct 2014 #68

If they are allowed in the hospital due to insurance problems OR PCIntern Oct 2014 #66

yes, but you're more likely to die from a bus accident trauma than from bus pole ebola. unblock Oct 2014 #69

that is certainly true at this time... PCIntern Oct 2014 #71

Are you saying if the are NOT allowed in the hospital? BillZBubb Oct 2014 #78

Quaranteed after "exhibiting flu like symptoms" of vomiting HockeyMom Oct 2014 #79