Long-term effects of Ebolavirus infection

This study only included adults; children who have recovered should also be examined as their health care needs may be different. These results confirm that there are long-term sequelae of Ebolavirus infection. The basis for the complications is not known, but is likely a consequence of tissue damage due to viral replication and the immune response. Whether or not virus was present in the patients was not determined. However it is known that Ebolavirus can persist in the testicles and eye long after it is absent from serum. Other serious viral infections are also accompanied by long term health effects. For example, 29% of Lassa virus survivors have hearing loss, while joint pain persists for 3-5 years in about 10% of those infected with chikungunya virus. Ebolavirus is a highly lethal virus, and those who survive infection are fortunate. Despite recovering, their health problems are not over. The size of the recent outbreak provided impetus for clinical trials of vaccines and antivirals; now research is needed to determine how to best care for the many survivors.
Source: virology blog - Category: Virology Authors: Tags: Basic virology Information acute arthralgia Ebola ebolavirus long term myalgia persistent symptoms uveitis viral Source Type: blogs