| Ebola and Cholera continue to make headlines daily in our motherland. This is the first time our attention as a nation has focused on Ebola and the anxiety is expected but in the case of Cholera, we expect yearly deaths from this preventable disease, yet we wait for it to take away precious lives. You may hear or read different views on Ebola Virus Disease but ALWAYS remember that ‘YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY – TAKE CONTROL.” Look for basic information to keep you alive and healthy and note that it is better to err on the side of caution. Some of the information you will read today may appear as extreme measures especially since we do not have any confirmed Ebola cases in Ghana but it takes a long time to form habits and starting to apply some of these recommendations may make you more prepared should this virus hit our shores. Question: Is it true that Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) may appear like Malaria, Typhoid or even Cholera? Answer: Yes. The disease may start with headaches, fever (temperature), joint pains, chills, nausea and even a sore throat or cough. These are often the same symptoms someone with malaria, typhoid or other viral diseases may present with. There may also be diarrhoea and vomiting with associated weakness just as in Cholera. This is yet another reason self medication may not be good at anytime. Seek professional care. Question: I thought EVD was associated with bleeding? Answer: Yes it is. As the disease progresses, a victim can bleed from every orifice. Eyes, nose, mouth, ears, anus, vagina and penis. Essentially our toilet and vomit will contain blood and we may also cough out blood. Question: Is EVD sexually transmitted and will condoms protect us? Answer: Ebola Virus Disease is transmitted once there is CONTACT with body fluids of a person who is showing symptoms. During sexual intercourse there is the exchange of several body fluids including sweat, saliva, semen and vaginal secretions among others. This makes a condom ineffective in protecting you from the virus. EVD mimics HIV/AIDS since it also attacks the immune system rendering it ineffective in fighting. Question: How soon after recovery can one engage in safe sex? Answer: The active virus has been found in semen (sperm) seven (7) weeks after recovery. Since recovery is slow and painful, I will recommend three (3) months post recovery to be a safe time to engage in sex. Question: What does an incubation period of 2 – 21 days mean? Answer: When you come into physical contact with someone with EVD, the virus gets into your body and undergoes changes before the new victim will start showing symptoms. The period between contact and start of the symptoms is the incubation period. This means some people may start showing symptoms after only 2 days, others 7 days or even after 21 days. Most people however show symptoms after seven days. Once the symptoms start majority of people will die within a week. Those who live beyond ten (10) days are likely to recover. Question: What is your take on Hugging, Kissing and handshaking? Answer: It is better to err on the side of caution. Someone with Ebola may have only a fever and look fairly well. This is no season for Hugging, kissing and handshaking. Over the next six (6) months or so we may be better off reducing these to the barest minimum. Ebola is not here with us yet but it is BETTER to get into the habit. This does not mean partners should not hug or kiss each other. Just as in HIV we are taught to stick to our partners, we can extend the same caution here. Once your partner is practicing the same preventive measures then you are both fairly safe. Question: How important is hand washing? Answer: We can never overemphasize the role of hand washing with soap and water (or the use of a proper sanitizer). The virus has easy access to us through broken skin and mucous membranes such as our eyes etc. When we shake hands we pick a lot of viruses, bacteria etc and since we touch our face, rub our eyes and different parts of our body we can transfer the virus. Fortunately washing our hands properly with soap and water and drying them appropriately will reduce our risk of spread. Proper hand washing can reduce our risk of infections (including Ebola and Cholera) by about 80%. Question: Do our cultural practices play any role in spreading diseases such as Ebola? Answer: Definitely. Hunting and preparation of bush meat, several people eating in the same bowl, kissing and bathing of the dead, multiple handshakes at gatherings such as funerals and many more expose us needlessly. Once Ebola has come so close, it may return even after we control it. Hopefully this will push us to improve many of our practices as well as the way we manage patients in our health facilities. Question: Are there any similarities in the way we protect ourselves from Cholera and Ebola? Answer: Yes. Hygiene plays a huge role in Cholera prevention. o Washing hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before touching food or water o Eating warm food. Avoid food prepared in “suspicious” surroundings o Take extreme caution when preparing food especially seafood, vegetables and fruits o Desist from communal eating and sharing of cups, plates etc o Ensure that food vendors cover their products appropriately and also encourage them to do their routine health screening Question: Is it true that people die from Cholera because they lose a lot of fluids (water)? Answer: Yes. In cholera you may lose up to 20 litres of fluid in a day. If this is not replaced quickly, it leads to death. It is important that you rush to the hospital once you experience diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Question: How can we STOP cholera? Answer: We all have a role to play since we have contributed directly or indirectly to the filth. We need to ensure personal as well as environmental hygiene (keep our surroundings clean), educate others to do the same and put pressure on the appropriate authorities to ensure proper sewage disposal, adequate toilet facilities, proper food and beverage (including water) monitoring. Hopefully the Ebola scare and the frequent outbreaks of Cholera will mark the beginning of improved hygiene. Even if we improve on only hand washing with soap and water, we will be winners in the battle against infectious diseases. AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI) Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel Moms’ Health Club (dressel@healthclubsgh.com) *Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition. |
