What it is
Symptoms start 2 to 21 days after infection. It is not spread through the air and is not infectious before symptoms appear.
Early care in a specialist unit, including fluids and newer antibody treatments, improves survival. Vaccines are used to protect people at high risk during outbreaks.
Common signs
- Sudden high fever
- Severe headache, muscle and joint pain
- Weakness and sore throat
- Later: vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and sometimes bleeding
How it is usually diagnosed
- Blood tests in specialist laboratories
- Questions about travel and contact with sick people or animals
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Travel dates and destinations
- Any contact history with sick people
- Test results and hospital records
- Vaccination records
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I need monitoring after returning from an outbreak area?
- Who should I call if I develop a fever?
- Am I eligible for vaccination for my work?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Fever within 21 days of being in an outbreak area or caring for someone with Ebola: call 112 before going to a hospital, and mention the travel or contact
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.