WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

What is Ebola? Ebola is a life-threatening disease caused by a virus. Ebola was first diagnosed in West Africa. People from other countries have also been diagnosed with Ebola.

How is Ebola spread? A person with Ebola must have symptoms to be contagious (able to spread the virus). Ebola is not spread through air, water, or food. The virus spreads through a break in your skin or mucus membranes in your eyes, nose, or mouth. You may get the virus through direct contact with any of the following:

• A sick person's blood or body fluids, such as urine, saliva, sweat, bowel movement, vomit, semen, or breast milk
  
  
• Items that have been contaminated with the virus, such as clothes, linens, needles, and syringes

What are the symptoms of Ebola? Symptoms may appear 2 to 21 days after you are exposed to someone who has symptoms of Ebola. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have been in contact with someone who has Ebola and you have the following:

• A sudden fever higher than 100.4°F along with any of the following:
  • Fatigue
    
    
  • Diarrhea
    
    
  • Severe headache
    
    
  • Muscle pain and weakness
    
    
  • Abdominal pain
    
    
  • Vomiting
    
    
  • Bleeding or bruising that cannot be explained
  
  

How do I protect myself against Ebola? No treatment or vaccine has been approved for use. Protect yourself from Ebola by doing the following:

• Practice safe sex. Always use a latex condom. An infected man's semen will need to be tested for the Ebola virus. He must have 2 negative tests before he can have sex without a condom. Handle used condoms carefully so the semen does not touch anyone. Throw the used condom away. Make sure no one will accidentally touch it after it is in the trash.
  
  
• Wash your hands often. Wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  
  
• Do not touch blood or body fluids of people who are sick. Fluids include urine, bowel movements, saliva, vomit, semen, and sweat.
  
  
• Do not handle items that may have touched a sick person's blood or body fluids. This includes clothes, linens, needles, and syringes.
  
  
• Do not touch the body of someone who has died from Ebola.

Contact your healthcare provider or local health department if: You have been in contact with someone who has Ebola. You may need to be placed in quarantine.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.