Pediatrician - Wall
3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126
Wall, NJ 07719
732-280-6455
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Ebola: What Parents Need to Know
Ebola has been covered highly in the media, so we wanted to bring it to your attention as well. Our message: don't panic! It is far more likely your child will come down with the flu or common cold than be infected by ebola. And unlike the flu or common cold ebola can NOT be spread via air, so it is a lot less contagious.
Here is some helpful information from HealthyChildren.org brought to you by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a viral infection, yet it is very rare and is not easy to transmit from person to person. There is a serious outbreak in West Africa, however, in part due to lack of germ prevention and access to adequate medical supplies.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Ebola?
Ebola typically starts suddenly with a fever but symptoms can also include a severeheadache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising. The time from infection with the virus to the onset of symptoms is from 2 to 21 days (with 8 to 10 days being most common). A person with the Ebola virus can infect others as soon as they begin to have symptoms. Early-stage Ebola disease may be confused with other infectious diseases (e.g., flu) because the initial symptoms are similar to those seen with other viral infections.
How is Ebola Spread?
Unlike the flu, Ebola is not spread through the air or water. The chances of you or your children becoming infected are slim. Ebola is only transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person or from objects like needles that have been in contact with infected body fluids. This means it does not spread through air, food, water, or by touching things like money and keyboards. See Q&A's on Ebola Trans​mission on CDC.gov.
Can Ebola Be Prevented?
Yes, killing the virus is easy. The Ebola virus can be killed with soap and water, heat, or a disinfectant or sanitizing agent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing hands frequently or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good precaution. This is perhaps the most important message for children to learn and share.
Because people in West Africa may not be able to follow these precautions and may not have access to soap and water, Ebola has continued to spread.
Important Message for Parents:
It is much easier to catch to the flu or other respiratory viruses than Ebola. For example, based on the Ebola statistics we have right now, it is likely that flu will cause far more illness and deaths around the globe than Ebola will.
News Coverage
Understandably, there is heavy coverage in the media about the spread of Ebola. However, it is a good idea to limit young children's exposure to news stories about it. This way, parents can decide what information they want to share based on their child's level of understanding. Here are some things to remind your children if they are concerned:
- They are safe.
- Our health care system is among the best in the world for taking care of sick people.
- Ebola is rare and does not exist everywhere. When cases are found, the person with the infection is taken to a safe place to be cared for so that he can get better and not make anyone else sick.
- Doctors and scientists who know a lot about Ebola are working hard to find ways to prevent or cure this illness.
Social Media
With many children and teens spending a lot of time on social media, there is also the risk that they could read something online about Ebola that they do not understand and may become unnecessarily alarmed. Pay close attention to what your children are seeing online.Talk to your children and help them avoid graphic exposure to the media.
Keeping Calm
News about the spread of diseases can be alarming, even for adults. Keep yourself well informed so that your own fears are under control. Talk with your children in ways that make sense to them so they don't become overly concerned or afraid.
For more information click HERE: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Ebola.aspx
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3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126,
Wall, NJ 07719