s/o ebola threads

[pinkeggs]

They are bringing the two infected Americans in Liberia to Atlanta for treatment. I'm curious; does this freak people out more? Or is it just something that needs to/should be done?

I hope they can help them.

[underwaterrhymes]

As I've said in other threads, I'm not freaked out by this. They are taking every precaution to make sure they are transported and cared for in isolation.

They can get a much higher standard of care here.

I'm far more worried about the people in West Africa.

[Jalapeñomel]

I think the media has really gone crazy with this. I am not worried about it at all.

[pinkeggs]

Aug 1, 2014 19:34:49 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I think the media has really gone crazy with this. I am not worried about it at all.

Surely you jest. The media would never sensationalize such a thing.

[TheSeaward]

I live in atl not worried at all
Intrigued actually

[ssmjlm]

I can't believe they waited this long to bring them home. They can get much better care here.

I just hope bringing them home doesn't stop the coverage of what is going on in west Africa with the outbreak.

[anastasia517]

The virus spreads through bodily fluids, not the air, so I definitely think the paranoia is a bit ridiculous. These people will definitely have a better shot now and I hope the doctors are able to do something for them now that the patients are in a position to receive proper care.

[nerdicorn]

No, it's not like they're being put on a commercial flight with a wave and a "good luck". Not only will their treatment in the US probably be better, but their families will get a chance to see them (and say goodbye if they need to), and it will probably provide a lot of help to us research-wise to have patients that can be studied and treated in the US.

[underwaterrhymes]

Plus, if it were my husband or wife who had been caring for very sick people in Sierra Leone and got sick, I would want them here.

[rbp]

I live two miles from the hospital they're coming to. I am not freaked out at all; in fact, I think it's pretty awesome that Emory is willing to take on this challenge. They have a very secure plan in place, and it's the best chance for these patients' survival. The patients still have a pretty grim outlook, though. It's a really scary situation for them, but I don't expect the community will be put in any danger. Best wishes to them and their doctors.

[4speedy]

Yes to both questions. Yes they had to bring them home and yes it freaks me out. The infection rate in most hospitals is abysmal. I don't just worry about the medical people attending to the patients but also the support staff. I'm curious to know what kind of protocols they have in place to limit the number of people in and out of the room. I wonder if it differers from regular protocol in an isolation unit. My dad was in isolation when they thought he had legionnaire's disease. People were in and out of his room constantly. I'm hoping there is a very tight limit on who gets in.

Also, curious about the disposition of the body if the patients should die. DH and I were wondering if there would be a required cremation. We wondered how this would be handled if it were contrary to the patients' religious beliefs.

[Saint Monica]

Aug 1, 2014 19:54:52 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Plus, if it were my husband or wife who had been caring for very sick people in Sierra Leone and got sick, I would want them here.

This, a, but I'm scared anyway

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 1, 2014 19:58:35 GMT -5 4speedy said:

Yes to both questions. Yes they had to bring them home and yes it freaks me out. The infection rate in most hospitals is abysmal. I don't just worry about the medical people attending to the patients but also the support staff. I'm curious to know what kind of protocols they have in place to limit the number of people in and out of the room. I wonder if it differers from regular protocol in an isolation unit. My dad was in isolation when they thought he had legionnaire's disease. People were in and out of his room constantly. I'm hoping there is a very tight limit on who gets in.

Also, curious about the disposition of the body if the patients should die. DH and I were wondering if there would be a required cremation. We wondered how this would be handled if it were contrary to the patients' religious beliefs.

When you say infection rates in most hospital, are you referring to Ebola? Because Ebola is actually not easily spread. It has a terribly high fatality rate, but that is partly due to the fact that many people are not trusting of the medical field in parts of Central and West Africa and don't seek treatment until it's too late. But it's spread through bodily fluids, not through the air, so it's challenging to contract.

If you're talking about general infection rates in hospitals here in the States, then this is a totally different matter. They are keeping these people totally in isolation. There are several layers to the isolation tent and even the caregivers won't be coming into direct contact with them.

[niki]

I just saw on the news that our university hospital has prepared to receive Ebola patients (I live in the middle of the country). I'm not freaked out at that, but just in amazement at how fast things are getting bad in Africa.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 1, 2014 20:04:58 GMT -5 niki said:

I just saw on the news that our university hospital has prepared to receive Ebola patients (I live in the middle of the country). I'm not freaked out at that, but just in amazement at how fast things are getting bad in Africa.

Do you have a link? I'm surprised that hospitals in the States are preparing to receive West African patients.

Unless they were just saying they're prepared to receive other American aid workers if it's necessary.

[4speedy]

Aug 1, 2014 20:04:44 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Aug 1, 2014 19:58:35 GMT -5 4speedy said:

Yes to both questions. Yes they had to bring them home and yes it freaks me out. The infection rate in most hospitals is abysmal. I don't just worry about the medical people attending to the patients but also the support staff. I'm curious to know what kind of protocols they have in place to limit the number of people in and out of the room. I wonder if it differers from regular protocol in an isolation unit. My dad was in isolation when they thought he had legionnaire's disease. People were in and out of his room constantly. I'm hoping there is a very tight limit on who gets in.

Also, curious about the disposition of the body if the patients should die. DH and I were wondering if there would be a required cremation. We wondered how this would be handled if it were contrary to the patients' religious beliefs.

When you say infection rates in most hospital, are you referring to Ebola? Because Ebola is actually not easily spread. It has a terribly high fatality rate, but that is partly due to the fact that many people are not trusting of the medical field in parts of Central and West Africa and don't seek treatment until it's too late. But it's spread through bodily fluids, not through the air, so it's challenging to contract.

If you're talking about general infection rates in hospitals here in the States, then this is a totally different matter. They are keeping these people totally in isolation. There are several layers to the isolation tent and even the caregivers won't be coming into direct contact with them.

I was talking general infection rates.  Thanks for the clarification.  My only experience with an isolation unit was when the doctors thought my dad had legionnaire's disease.  It truly did not seem much different from the general floor, except his door was always shut.  Non-essential people were popping in and out all day long.  I was actually pretty concerned for all those people caring for my dad who didn't  need to be there.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 1, 2014 20:10:14 GMT -5 4speedy said:

Aug 1, 2014 20:04:44 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

When you say infection rates in most hospital, are you referring to Ebola? Because Ebola is actually not easily spread. It has a terribly high fatality rate, but that is partly due to the fact that many people are not trusting of the medical field in parts of Central and West Africa and don't seek treatment until it's too late. But it's spread through bodily fluids, not through the air, so it's challenging to contract.

If you're talking about general infection rates in hospitals here in the States, then this is a totally different matter. They are keeping these people totally in isolation. There are several layers to the isolation tent and even the caregivers won't be coming into direct contact with them.

I was talking general infection rates.  Thanks for the clarification.  My only experience with an isolation unit was when the doctors thought my dad had legionnaire's disease.  It truly did not seem much different from the general floor, except his door was always shut.  Non-essential people were popping in and out all day long.  I was actually pretty concerned for all those people caring for my dad who didn't  need to be there.

This level of isolation is much higher than what you're describing.

Even their families can only see them either through a window or in a HazMat suit.

[niki]

Aug 1, 2014 20:09:41 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Aug 1, 2014 20:04:58 GMT -5 niki said:

I just saw on the news that our university hospital has prepared to receive Ebola patients (I live in the middle of the country). I'm not freaked out at that, but just in amazement at how fast things are getting bad in Africa.

Do you have a link? I'm surprised that hospitals in the States are preparing to receive West African patients.

Unless they were just saying they're prepared to receive other American aid workers if it's necessary.

Just prepared, but the university hospital's bio-containment unit was being evaluated by the U.S. State Department on Wednesday: www.ketv.com/news/ebola-outbreak-nebraska-medical-center-ready-at-moments-notice/27273206#!btm3hz

[tulip]

I am not concerned on the medical treatment level, I'm more concerned on the handling of any remains. Ebola lives on in corpses and that freaks me out. (I'm hoping this won't be an issue but it is with this)

[panbitch]

The same CDC who recently found small pox sitting in a fridge for 50 years and anthrax rolling around in an office for God knows how long? My confidence level in them is not at an all time high at the moment. What really worries me are the moves between the iso unit on the plane to the ambulance and then to the iso unit in the building. Also can't the virus go airborne when a patient coughs sputum.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 1, 2014 21:30:26 GMT -5 panbitch said:

The same CDC who recently found small pox sitting in a fridge for 50 years and anthrax rolling around in an office for God knows how long? My confidence level in them is not at an all time high at the moment. What really worries me are the moves between the iso unit on the plane to the ambulance and then to the iso unit in the building. Also can't the virus go airborne when a patient coughs sputum.

The CDC is not handling these patients. Emory Hospital is.

And, no, this virus cannot go airborne even with particles.

[panbitch]

Aug 1, 2014 21:33:48 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Aug 1, 2014 21:30:26 GMT -5 panbitch said:

The same CDC who recently found small pox sitting in a fridge for 50 years and anthrax rolling around in an office for God knows how long? My confidence level in them is not at an all time high at the moment. What really worries me are the moves between the iso unit on the plane to the ambulance and then to the iso unit in the building. Also can't the virus go airborne when a patient coughs sputum.

The CDC is not handling these patients. Emory Hospital is.

And, no, this virus cannot go airborne even with particles.

Didn't the CDC sign off on it and work with Emory? honest ? not snarky. I have more faith in Emory than CDC.

[agnes]

It's like the beginning of an outbreak movie. AAAAGHHHHHH

But no, this does not worry me. I'm glad that they'll be treated with the best of care and contamination contained.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 1, 2014 21:37:12 GMT -5 panbitch said:

Aug 1, 2014 21:33:48 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

The CDC is not handling these patients. Emory Hospital is.

And, no, this virus cannot go airborne even with particles.

Didn't the CDC sign off on it and work with Emory? honest ? not snarky. I have more faith in Emory than CDC.

They helped create the unit that will house them and obviously are interested in these cases, but the actual patient care will be through Emory.

I really feel like the media is doing a piss poor job of alleviating people's concerns.

What is happening in West Africa is horrific, but there are any number of reasons why an Ebola epidemic of these proportions couldn't happen here.

[panbitch]

Aug 1, 2014 21:40:37 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Aug 1, 2014 21:37:12 GMT -5 panbitch said:

Didn't the CDC sign off on it and work with Emory? honest ? not snarky. I have more faith in Emory than CDC.

They helped create the unit that will house them and obviously are interested in these cases, but the actual patient care will be through Emory.

I really feel like the media is doing a piss poor job of alleviating people's concerns.

What is happening in West Africa is horrific, but there are any number of reasons why an Ebola epidemic of these proportions couldn't happen here.

I hope so those hemorrhagic fevers suck ballz.

[joshlyman]

All I can add is that I picture scenes from ET when I think about how they will be received. Apparently all my logic comes from movies.

[CheshireGrin]

I want to agree with everything UWR has written in this post.

Being transported here is the best chance of survival for these people, so I'm glad they're doing it. As a healthcare worker, I wouldn't think twice about being asked to care for them, assuming the proper precautions are in place, and it sounds like Emory is doing a great job in that arena.

Sooner or later, someone is going to land in the US infected with Ebola and not yet knowing it, and THAT will be a much larger concern that intentionally bringing patients here under the proper conditions. Even when that happens, however, I have full faith in the ability of our healthcare system to keep those patients contained, because we have the knowledge and the resources to do so. West Africa does not.

We get constant bulletins in the ER from the CDC specifically detailing what symptoms to watch for with patients who have had any travel outside of the US, and what specific diseases are currently an issue for specific areas of travel. Not just for Ebola, for everything. All of our patients get screened for possible infectious disease risks, regardless of why they're visiting the ER.

[illgetthere]

leonclifford.com/2014/08/01/who-chief-warns-of-ebola-mutation-risk/

I'm trying to find the memo, but it sounds like they are worried about possible airborne transfer.

Edit: she also said the outbreak had demonstrated an ability to spread through the air, unlike past outbreaks. This was in a BBC article.

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2014 22:28:41 GMT -5 illgetthere said:

leonclifford.com/2014/08/01/who-chief-warns-of-ebola-mutation-risk/

I'm trying to find the memo, but it sounds like they are worried about possible airborne transfer.

Edit: she also said the outbreak had demonstrated an ability to spread through the air, unlike past outbreaks. This was in a BBC article.

I think you are mistaken.

The link you have posted is from someone's blog, not the BBC. 

If you read WHO Director Dr. Chan's speech she says nothing about being worried about possible airborne transfer. She actually emphasizes that it is NOT an airborne virus in her speech. 

In addition, the study that this blog author talks about possible airborne transfer was done with pigs and they are unsure if there was airborne transfer. I didn't read the entire study, but I think it's misleading to say that the study shows that there was airborne transfer. 

[illgetthere]

Aug 2, 2014 0:24:59 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Aug 1, 2014 22:28:41 GMT -5 illgetthere said:

leonclifford.com/2014/08/01/who-chief-warns-of-ebola-mutation-risk/

I'm trying to find the memo, but it sounds like they are worried about possible airborne transfer.

Edit: she also said the outbreak had demonstrated an ability to spread through the air, unlike past outbreaks. This was in a BBC article.

I think you are mistaken.

The link you have posted is from someone's blog, not the BBC. 

If you read WHO Director Dr. Chan's speech she says nothing about being worried about possible airborne transfer. She actually emphasizes that it is NOT an airborne virus in her speech. 

In addition, the study that this blog author talks about possible airborne transfer was done with pigs and they are unsure if there was airborne transfer. I didn't read the entire study, but I think it's misleading to say that the study shows that there was airborne transfer. 

The edit is from a BBC article. I'm on my phone and can't link more than 1 thing. The study showed there was the possibility of it traveling between species without contact and the recommendations provided by the who in how to contain it during air travel would only be relevant if it could go airborne. I'm not saying it is possible, but it does sound like they are worried there could be a possibility.