Surviving Ebola is hard enough. Now, some survivors of the deadly viral infection must deal with physical problems that appear to be an aftermath of the infection.
After recovery from Ebola, some survivors are experiencing problems with their vision, headaches, and fatigue. They are reporting body aches, such as pain in their chest, muscles, and joints. Doctors in West Africa, where the epidemic is finally starting to die down, are calling this post-Ebola syndrome. About half of Ebola survivors have reported declining health, according to Dr. Margaret Nanyonga, a psychosocial support officer for the World Health Organization in Kanema, Sierra Leone.
The eye problems include increased pressure in the eyes and clouded vision. It is not known precisely what is causing the eye problems. Dr. Nanyonga reports that the loss of vision is progressive in some patients and that she knows of two people who have done blind.
"We need to understand why these symptoms persist, whether they are caused by the disease or treatment, or perhaps the heavy disinfection," she said.
It is not known how long post-Ebola syndrome will last. The after-effects appear to be linked to the infection, but because the area did not have good medical records, it is hard to tell what symptoms might actually be a pre-existing condition.
About 60% of people who came down with Ebola died in this outbreak of the viral infection. However, between 5,000 and 10,000 people have survived Ebola.
Ebola has killed about 9,000 people primarily in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Its initial symptoms include fever and vomiting and it then attacks the internal organs causing bleeding.
In addition to the physical problems of post-Ebola syndrome, some survivors have suffered the loss of their whole families to the disease. The body aches and pains along with the fatigue is making it hard from some survivors to resume their former lives and occupations.
Some have been shunned or labeled as witches for having survived the virus that killed so many