#sore throat

It seems that Ebola is all over the news lately, and it can be super scary. You don’t even know what it is, let alone how to get it and what it can do to you. That’s why we wanted to share what we know with you; that way, you can stay more informed and maybe a little less freaked out by the unknown.

What is Ebola? It’s an infectious disease that typically causes death. With it, people with the disease often have fevers and extreme internal bleeding.

How does Ebola spread? It can be transferred through contact with infected bodily fluids - blood, saliva, etc. - by a “filovirus” (the Ebola virus). It is not airborne. We do not know its host species yet.

What are the symptoms of Ebola? The symptoms include high fevers and bleeding, as we mentioned. However, they also include headaches, stomach pains, sore throats and lack of appetite.

How do you cure Ebola? Right now, there is no known cure. However, it is possible for victims to be treated and recover if they are offered intensive care.

However, the cases of Ebola in the United States are few and far between. If you are sure to keep clean by washing your hands and wiping counters down, you will typically be just fine. We recommend carrying around a personal container of hand sanitizer, if that helps you feel more at ease.