by: SMCMA Admin

  The Dallas County Medical Association and the Texas Medical Association have assembled this information about how physicians can protect themselves from the Ebola virus.

Remember: You can only get Ebola from direct contact with a person who has symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms appear 2 to 21 days after exposure and include:

· Fever greater than 100.4F
· Headache
· Muscle pain
· Weakness
· Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
· Vomiting, sometimes bloody
· Stomach pain
· Unexplained bleeding or bruising

If You Have Symptoms 

· Stay in place to minimize contact with others.
· Contact your doctor for advice.
· Call your doctor immediately if you have symptoms AND have been in direct contact with a person (here or abroad) who has been diagnosed with or is at risk of contracting Ebola.
· If you can’t get in touch with your doctor, call 9-1-1.

Protect Yourself

Ebola can enter the body through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Avoid contact with the body fluids (blood, vomit, pee, poop, spit, sweat, semen, etc.) of a person with Ebola.
· Avoid contact with items (clothes, linens, needles, syringes) that have come in contact with the blood or body fluid of a person with Ebola.

Ways You CAN’T Get Ebola · You can’t get Ebola from a person who does not show symptoms.
· You can’t get Ebola through the air.
· You can’t get Ebola though water.
· You can’t get Ebola through food.

Click here for a handy printout.

Information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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