Thao Tran
4/15/10
Block 2
WANTED
The Ebola virus is a lethal pathogen. Ebola is a rod shaped virus. It attacks
through direct contact. You can be infected through contact with an infected
animal, infected human, or infected objects, such as needles. It usually
attacks humans and primates, such as monkeys. Although the exact hideout
is unknown, investigators think that they are located in Africa. At first the
victim gets high fever, headache, muscle aches, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
There may also be sore throat, hiccups, and red and itchy eyes. Things the
victim could also have include vomiting and rash and bleeding problems
with bloody nose, spitting up blood from the lungs and vomiting it up from
the stomach, and bloody eyes . Then finally come chest pain, shock, and
death. It is armed with a protein on the outside of the virus that attacks the
lining of the blood vessels and causes the bleeding. It is dangerous; it can
kill as many as 90% of the people it infects. There is no specific way to get
rid of this virus; currently, victims receive supportive therapy. People can
die within ten days after the symptoms occur. The Ebola virus is named after
a river in Africa. After being in contact with the virus the symptoms can
occur within 2 to 21 days. When cases appear it is best to quarantine the
victim, since the virus attacks through contact. People that are around the
infected should wear protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, gowns, and
goggles. The Ebola virus is also known as the Hemorrhagic (bloody) Fever.
Good Citizen
Botulism
Botulism is the disease that causes paralysis of the muscles. In 1980
Dr. Scott used the toxin to treat Strabismus. In December 1989, BoNT-A
(BOTOX) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm in
young patients. The use of BOTOX to treat wrinkles and frown lines was
approved in 2002 by the FDA for cosmetic improvements. The bacterium
Clostridium botulinum is injected into the area needed and the muscle is
paralyzed, therefore reducing wrinkles. Although Botulism is a serious
illness, it is also used to make people look younger,
Electron
micrograph of
Ebola virus.
A protein on the outside
of the virus attacks the
lining of the blood vessel
causing the bleeding.
Bibliography
1. “Questions and Answers about Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever” Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. 17 July 2009. 25 April 2010
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/Spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola/qa.htm>.
2. “Definition of Fever, Ebola virus”MedicineNet.1996-2010. 25 April 2010
<http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6490>
3. Mohit Joshi.“Diabetes causes difficulty in blood vessels’ relaxation. “Top News.
1 February 2008. 25 April 2010
<http://www.topnews.in/health/diabetes-causes-difficulty-blood-vesselsrelaxation-2875>
4. “Botulism” MedicineNet.1996-2010. 25 April 2010
< http://www.medicinenet.com/botulism/article.htm >