Contaminations by viruses such as Ebola cause internal bleeding due to the virus's impact on the blood vessel walls, leading to altered blood coagulation and vascular damage.
Ebola usually enters the body through contact with contaminated biological fluids, such as the blood or saliva of an infected person. Once it penetrates through a wound, a mucous membrane (such as the eyes or mouth), or a small often imperceptible cut, the virus immediately targets certain key immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells. Once inside, it hijacks their cellular machinery, rapidly multiplies, and then spreads throughout the body by traveling in the blood and lymph. From this initial stage, it begins to weaken the body's natural defenses by directly compromising these immune cells that are supposed to protect us. The infection, still silent at this stage, thus paves the way for all the more serious complications that will follow.
When a virus like Ebola infects a cell, it quickly takes control of its genetic material and transforms it into a true virus factory. The infected cell then begins to produce a multitude of new viral particles, to the point where it becomes severely damaged and eventually dies, releasing cellular debris and many other viruses capable of infecting neighboring cells. This massive cell death, called necrosis, causes significant damage to the infected tissues and progressively weakens vital organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys by destroying their functional cells. This tissue destruction partly explains why patients affected by Ebola rapidly show signs of generalized deterioration in their health: loss of vital functions, intense pain, and metabolic disturbances.
In the face of Ebola, the problem is also that your own immune defenses go a bit crazy. Instead of remaining calm and methodical, they go into a major panic and release a huge amount of inflammatory substances called cytokines. Normally, these molecules help organize the counterattack against the invader, but here, they become excessive and chaotic: this is referred to as a cytokine storm. As a result, instead of effectively limiting the infection, this exaggerated immune reaction ends up severely damaging your own tissues, especially the blood vessels. This intense inflammation disrupts coagulation and makes the small vessels fragile, thereby promoting internal bleeding.
Viruses like Ebola severely disrupt blood vessels. By attacking the cells lining their interior, called endothelial cells, they weaken the vascular barrier. This creates micro-leaks, like small holes in the pipes of the bloodstream. Blood then begins to seep into surrounding tissues, causing internal bleeding. Then comes a vicious cycle: the body reacts extremely, forming small clots everywhere, depleting the proteins needed for coagulation. As a result, there are no longer enough of these proteins to effectively stop bleeding elsewhere. The combination of this damage to the vessels and a malfunctioning coagulation system explains why Ebola often leads to severe hemorrhaging.
Although often dramatic in the case of a major outbreak, Ebola is less contagious than other viruses like the flu or measles, as it is primarily transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids and not through the air.
A patient cured of Ebola can continue to harbor the virus in low doses in certain organs such as the eyes or testicles for several months. Specific medical follow-up is therefore recommended after recovery.
Some animals, such as fruit bats, can be asymptomatic carriers of the Ebola virus, thereby playing a key role in its transmission to humans through contact or the consumption of bushmeat.
Contrary to a widespread belief, not all patients infected with Ebola necessarily develop visible hemorrhagic symptoms; these occur in about 40 to 50% of cases.
Viruses like Ebola significantly disrupt the normal immune response, leading to a dysregulated and excessive response known as a "cytokine storm." This process can exacerbate internal damage rather than prevent it, contributing to the severity of the disease.
To avoid contamination, it is necessary to avoid any direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected patients or animals, strictly follow hygiene measures (handwashing, wearing gloves), avoid outbreak areas, and get vaccinated when available.
Internal bleeding related to the Ebola virus typically occurs in the advanced stages of the disease, usually a few days after the first symptoms, often between five and ten days after exposure to the virus.
There is no universal specific treatment for these internal bleedings. Current approaches consist of symptomatic treatments, intensive care used to maintain patient stability, and experimental treatments or vaccines under development.
No, only certain so-called hemorrhagic viruses, such as Ebola or Marburg, typically cause internal bleeding due to their specific effects on vascular tissues and the immune response.
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