General Discussion

av8rdave

(10,656 posts)

25. A comment/question from a non - medical professional

Mon Oct 13, 2014, 10:08 AM

Oct 2014

We have all heard the MSM presentations about how Ebola is relatively difficult to contract. However, the specific stories I am reading about suggest otherwise.

The transmission mechanism mentioned over and over is bodily fluids. It would seem that even the smallest quantity of bodily fluid - to include airborne droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing or vomiting - is highly infectious. It also seems that any blood/open sore contact or mucous membrane contact gives the virus a point of entry.

This sounds a lot to me like the same transmission and risk factors as those for influenza or the common cold. If that's the case, it seems logical to conclude that Ebola is highly contagious and very easy to contract.

Am I out to lunch on this? If so, could someone with greater medical knowledge than I have please straighten me out?

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

28 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Key Question: How Did Dallas Worker Catch Ebola? [View all] morningfog Oct 2014 OP

Was this the same hospital that totally ignored the fact that he possibly had Jamastiene Oct 2014 #1

Yep, same hospital Kelvin Mace Oct 2014 #2

Exactly. Jamastiene Oct 2014 #3

The more troubling fact I think is that TBF Oct 2014 #6

Just an observation Kelvin Mace Oct 2014 #22

Excellent point - TBF Oct 2014 #28

I'm surprised more cases haven't turned up from that initial contact. Voice for Peace Oct 2014 #15

Virus builds up in the patient. LisaL Oct 2014 #17

I think this interview is worth enlightenment Oct 2014 #4

No hair covering, no shoe covering Warpy Oct 2014 #5

NO HAIR COVERING?????????????????????? kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #7

Cap isn't in the guidelines. LisaL Oct 2014 #8

Are you always this nasty or just when you are pretending to be a medical expert of some sort? kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #10

What, you don't like the answer? LisaL Oct 2014 #12

Saw this pic of an ER worker when they admitted the sheriff deputy LeftInTX Oct 2014 #9

Excellent. I couldn't fathom that they wouldn't care about HAIR being covered. kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #11

If CDC does care, they somehow forgot to put it into the guidelines. LisaL Oct 2014 #13

I don't know if the gown worn by ER worker is the same as gown worn by the nurse LeftInTX Oct 2014 #14

All their attire should be TYVEK. Even the West Africans know that much, and kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #16

I doubt the average hospital in the US has TYVEK gowns LeftInTX Oct 2014 #21

there is a spot on the neck exposed magical thyme Oct 2014 #23

Not in the CDC blood and body fluids precautions. Warpy Oct 2014 #20

I'm thinking the hospital had crappy protocol rainbow4321 Oct 2014 #18

They have no clue what this "wrong" thing was. LisaL Oct 2014 #19

I'm thinking it's extremely difficult to remove PPEs in such a way as to not accidentally touch any magical thyme Oct 2014 #24

A comment/question from a non - medical professional av8rdave Oct 2014 #25

I'm getting a feeling that she removed the gear by herself Fumesucker Oct 2014 #26

She got it from that guy who had Ebola AngryAmish Oct 2014 #27