What to do if you think you have Ebola, or have been exposed to someone with Ebola.

Symptoms of Ebola:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Unexplained/abnormal bleeding or rash

Having the above symptoms does not mean you have Ebola, there are plenty of other viruses that cause similar symptoms. What is important is if there was an opportunity for exposure.

If you have been exposed to the body fluids of someone with known Ebola or have traveled to West Africa, then the above symptoms need to be considered to be Ebola until proven otherwise.

So if you have exposure, it has to be more than casual exposure. The people who have been treated with Ebola in the US have all been healthcare workers exposed to the body fluids of an Ebola patient. So far no one with a casual exposure has contracted the disease. It is not spread by droplet or aerosol means, only by working with or handling body fluids without appropriate gear.

The Urgent Care Association of America suggests the following:

If you have exposure and symptoms, quarantine yourself and call 911 and tell them you may have Ebola so they can arrive prepared. Do NOT go to the doctor or urgent care center, just call 911 directly.