Ebola outbreak - general thread #5

[Sonya610]

Just thinking out loud here. I'm sure current immune status has something to do with the number of days for symptoms to present. However, it seems logical to me that if you take two people with similar immune systems and inoculate them with different amounts of the virus, the person who is inoculated with more virus will show symptoms sooner than the one who had a low dose. If this is the case, could it take longer for Duncan's family to show symptoms than the nurses?

Any thoughts from those in the know?

I am not "in the know" but I recall reading something about immune system health playing a part in the incubation time. They thought stronger immune systems might result in a longer incubation time.

Just guessing but that might mean the level of exposure also plays a part in how fast the active infection surfaces (i.e. nurses that get heavily exposed show symptoms fast, vs. folks that were exposed to smaller amounts of the virus show symptoms later).

 

[Isabelle]

K

Just thinking out loud here. I'm sure current immune status has something to do with the number of days for symptoms to present. However, it seems logical to me that if you take two people with similar immune systems and inoculate them with different amounts of the virus, the person who is inoculated with more virus will show symptoms sooner than the one who had a low dose. If this is the case, could it take longer for Duncan's family to show symptoms than the nurses?

Any thoughts from those in the know?

Pretty sure that is possible. If the person with the lower dose had a weak immune system the reverse would be true. Also wonder if people were infected in the past by certain viruses, do they have immunity. I think persons in Africa who had malaria (I could have this disease wrong) are immune to HIV.

 

[Peliman]

Reading along here a good bit but not all. I want to thank the healthcare workers here, you've helped me several times and I'm eternally grateful.

Just some observations over a few days. Is it true the hospital or CDC missed putting the healthcare workers who had exposure on the watch list?

Second thing kinda bugging me. I'm seeing different protocols for protective gear on different healthcare facilities. I/E the type of material used as external protection. Some just appears to be gowns while others are using tyvek.

Some units are taping sleeves to gloves and leg cuffs to shoes, others not so. Some wearing hoods and others just wearing mask or respirators.

I'm not sure how the CDC can investigate how a healthcare worker could be affected with differences in protection. Maybe it's me but I feel like I'm seeing different standards.

Thanks,
Peli

 

[nrdsb4]

FYI, I'm not going to do it here, but family of patient #3 has identified her, giving her name and stating that she is another 26 year old nurse.

 

[Hatfield]

I agree with Island Chica's previous post where I would like to see Ebola be treated as a "Level 4" precaution using aspirators instead of simple masks. I know it would be more expensive but I think it would help to reduce risk to workers dealing with the patients.

I have used those little white masks when spraying pesticides and they seem to only help minimally because I can usually smell the pesticide when using them. They never seal quite well enough around the face and there is gaps around certain parts of the face.

 

[Isabelle]

Maybe polio vaccine and smallpox vaccine need to be brought back. Wondering if there could be an immunity to Ebola via these vaccines. Just thinking.

 

[Isabelle]

FYI, I'm not going to do it here, but family of patient #3 has identified her, giving her name and stating that she is another 26 year old nurse.

#3 includes Duncan? What is the word on Nina's boyfriend? Thanks

 

[cady]

I am not "in the know" but I recall reading something about immune system health playing a part in the incubation time. They thought stronger immune systems might result in a longer incubation time.

Just guessing but that might mean the level of exposure also plays a part in how fast the active infection surfaces (i.e. nurses that get heavily exposed show symptoms fast, vs. folks that were exposed to smaller amounts of the virus show symptoms later).

Or, not at all, because the small dose of exposure allows the body to build up the required antibodies...meaning that it served as a natural vaccine??? No medical background here, just surmising. Possible?? JMO

 

[bexlex]

Again, droplet transmission.

I won't be offering my knowledge or experience to this thread any further.

Please don't leave! It really helps having a level headed, informed HC person around to quell the misinformation!!

 

[SStarr33]

Just saw the nurse flew the day before she reported!

 

[nrdsb4]

#3 includes Duncan? What is the word on Nina's boyfriend? Thanks

Yes, sorry.

Current word on boyfriend is that he is asymptomatic.

My alert states that the nurse's identity was disclosed by the "the mother of the patient's former stepfather."


Seriously?! IF TRUE, I sure hope she had permission.

 

[SStarr33]

Frontier Airlines flight 1143 Cleveland to Dallas on Oct. 13,

 

[Sonya610]

Pretty sure that is possible. If the person with the lower dose had a weak immune system the reverse would be true. Also wonder if people were infected in the past by certain viruses, do they have immunity. I think persons in Africa who had malaria (I could have this disease wrong) are immune to HIV.

I believe you are thinking of the European resistance/immunity due to the Bubonic Plague (genetic resistance).

 

[SStarr33]

They're seeking out 132 passengers.

Shut down the flights from these countries!!!!!!!!!!

https://twitter.com/kellygrant1/status/522406322491633664

 

[Isabelle]

Wouldn't you think there should be a mandate as to what PPE should be in use and same manufacturer should be involved? Needs to be standardized and rigid with absolutely no substitution.

 

[popsicle]

The 2nd person flew on a plane the night before she was dx with Ebola

 

[Isabelle]

I believe you are thinking of the European resistance/immunity due to the Bubonic Plague (genetic resistance).

Could be. Doesn't bubonic have something to do with a Delta gene?

 

[alwaysonmymind]

@FOX4: CDC confirms 3rd Ebola patient was on a Frontier Airlines flight on Oct. 13, a day before showing symptoms

 

[alwaysonmymind]

@FOX4: Notifications sent to passengers on Frontair Airlines Flight 1143 from Cleveland to Dallas

 

[cady]

WOW Immunology is really fascinating! Too bad my short term memory is shot,lol. I'd study it. JMO