Ebola Virus

Key facts

• Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
• The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
• The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks.
• The first EVD outbreaks occurred in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests, but the most recent outbreak in west Africa has involved major urban as well as rural areas.
• Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials and social mobilisation.
• Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is as yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralise the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development.
• There are currently no licensed Ebola vaccines but 2 potential candidates are undergoing evaluation

Allergies

An allergy occurs when the body overreacts to an allergen or ‘trigger’ that is typically harmless to most people. Examples of allergies include hay fever, asthma, eczema, hives and food allergy. Estimates suggest that about one person in four is allergic to something and roughly half of all allergy sufferers are children.

The symptoms of an allergy range from mild to severe. The most severe type of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, which may cause death without prompt medical attention. In most cases, effective treatments are available to manage or treat allergy symptoms.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is the most serious allergic reaction and can cause death without prompt medical attention. Within minutes of exposure to the allergen, or ‘trigger’, the person can have potentially life-threatening symptoms such as breathing difficulties.

Treatment includes first aid, an injection of adrenaline and ongoing management. Always dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance in a medical emergency.

Allergy testing

A wide variety of substances may cause allergic reactions in some people. Allergy testing is the procedure used to determine which particular substances (allergens) are responsible for provoking an allergic reaction. The procedure used depends on the type of allergy, but usually includes skin and blood tests or an oral food allergen challenge.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health problems. They include generalised anxiety disorders, social phobias, specific phobias (for example, agoraphobia and claustrophobia), panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder. Untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to depression.

Anxiety disorders are common mental health problems that affect many people. Approximately 25 per cent of the population have an anxiety disorder that warrants treatment at some time in their life and up to another 25 per cent have less severe anxieties such as fears of spider and snakes.

Cancer pain management

The pain of cancer is usually constant. A person with well-managed pain has an improved quality of life. They are likely to sleep better and have more energy during the day. Being as active as possible also reduces the risk of ailments like pneumonia, blood clots and bedsores, which are associated with immobility. The foundation of cancer pain management is regular medication, including paracetamol and opioid drugs, chosen to suit each person and to minimise side effects. Combining medications to gain maximum benefit is common. Radiotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy and chemotherapy – if successful in reducing tumour size – may also relieve pain. Other techniques that may be helpful include relaxation therapies and acupuncture.

Cancer screening

Screening is testing a group of people in the population for signs of a disease when treatment is still possible. Screening tests aim to find disease in the early stages, before it causes symptoms. Tests are offered to people who may have an increased risk of a particular disease because of their age, gender or other factors.

Genetic testing for inherited cancer

A predisposition to certain cancers can be inherited via altered genes. Genetic testing aims to detect a genetic alteration that might increase the chances of a person developing a particular cancer. This testing is available to some families with a high risk of a genetic predisposition to certain cancers.

Cancer

Cancer is abnormal cell growth. It is the most common cause of death in Victoria, accounting for more than 10,600 deaths every year. There are about 200 different types of cancer and most areas of the body can be affected.

Avoiding risk factors can prevent some cancers. For others, early detection and treatment is the best way to improve your chance of a cure.

Disease clusters

Sometimes a greater than expected number of cases of a disease occur in a group of people living or working in the same area. This is called a disease cluster. Communicable diseases, which are diseases that can be spread from one person to another, often occur in clusters. Examples include colds, flu, whooping cough, chlamydia and HIV. A non-communicable disease is a disease that isn’t infectious, which means it can’t be passed from one person to another. Examples include cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes. Non-communicable disease clusters are actually very rare.

Reports of possible non-communicable disease clusters cause concern in the community. The fear is that something unknown in the environment, such as water pollution or radiation from a power plant, may be causing disease. In fact, in most cases, a suspected non-communicable disease cluster turns out not to be a cluster at all.

Cancer and heredity

Genes play a role in the development of some cancers. The link is strongest for breast, bowel and stomach cancers. Current research suggests that environmental factors such as tobacco, diet, infection, alcohol, drugs, radiation and chemicals are more important than genetic (hereditary) factors in determining development of most cancers.

All cancer is triggered by altered genes. However, only five to 10 per cent of cancers are actually hereditary.

Heredity may sometimes appear to be the reason for a cancer, especially when the same types of cancers run in families.

Asthma

Asthma is a common disease of the airways, the structures through which air passes when moving from your mouth and nose right down to the smallest structures in your lungs. Asthma is the most widespread chronic health problem in Australia. About one in ten Australian adults and one in nine or ten children have asthma. It is often associated with other allergic conditions like hay fever and eczema.

Asthma causes the muscles in the airways to tighten and the lining of the airway becomes swollen and inflamed, producing sticky mucous. These changes cause the airways to become narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Most people with asthma only have symptoms when they inhale a ‘trigger’ such as pollen, exercise without the right preparation, or if they catch a cold or flu.

Asthma cannot be cured, but with good management, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives. A range of programs and services are available to support people with asthma.

Asthma and adults

Many people associate asthma as a childhood illness, however, adults and older people can develop asthma. Approximately 1 in 10 adults in Australia have asthma. Careful and proper diagnosis is important, as asthma symptoms can be confused with other illnesses, such as some types of heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In many cases, adults with asthma may have had asthma or similar symptoms as children and it may have persisted throughout their life. However, there are many people who experience asthma for the first time as an adult.

Asthma and travel

Whether you are travelling for a holiday or a business trip, you can still maintain good management of your asthma with some forward planning.

Travel insurance

If you are travelling interstate or overseas, you should consider taking out travel insurance.

There are many different travel insurance policies available, and the level of cover provided and the conditions associated with each policy vary widely. It is best to do some research and compare policies to make sure you find one that provides adequate cover for your travels.

For people with asthma, their condition will often be described as a ‘pre-existing medical condition’ under travel insurance policies. In order to obtain cover for a pre-existing medical condition, you may have to meet certain conditions and requirements.

Asthma and your workplace

There are many substances in the workplace that may cause asthma to develop in a previously health person or trigger asthma symptoms in someone who already has asthma. Exposure may occur while you are performing a particular task or while working in a particular area. Such substances may include sawdust or strong cleaning products.

Exposure may occur while you are performing a particular task or working in a particular area. Occupation asthma may be indicated by symptoms that:

• vary during the working week or shift
• occur at night, in the morning after significant exposure, or during the working day
• improve over weekends or holidays.

Asthma and young children

It is not fully understood why children develop asthma, although people with asthma often have a family history of asthma, eczema, allergies and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It is estimated that approximately one in ten Australian children have asthma.

Asthma is the most common reason for children being admitted to hospital, presenting to their doctor or hospital emergency department, and for missing days at school. If your child’s asthma is well managed, they should be able to lead a healthy active life.

About 40 per cent of children with asthma live with a current smoker and children of smoking parents are twice as likely to have symptoms of asthma before they are five years old.

Asthma and teenagers

Asthma affects about one in ten teenagers in Australia. By understanding and managing your asthma, you can keep it under control and stop it affecting your study, work, sport and social activities.

You have been diagnosed with asthma, what else do you need to know?Information about asthma for teenagers

Some things that are useful to know if you have been diagnosed with asthma include:

• You can continue to do what everyone else can and what you used to, j. Just make sure you look after your asthma.
• Lots of people have asthma (10% per cent of the Australian population).
• If you let your friends know, they can help you if you have an asthma attack.
• Learn about your medications, what they do and how to take them properly.
• Find out what triggers your asthma symptoms and try and avoid themit if you can.
• Make sure you keep your reliever puffer and spacer with you all the time (as this could save your life).
• Learn how to recognise what your early asthma symptoms are to help prevent a more serious asthma attack.
• Book in an asthma review with your doctor (this helps to make sure you are able to manage asthma and keep doing the things you like to do).
• Talk to your doctor about what your triggers are, when your asthma symptoms get worse, how often you are taking your reliever medication and then getask for an asthma action plan.
• Learn about asthma first aid and make sure you and the people around you will know what to do if you ever have an asthma attack – this will be on your asthma action plan.

Asthma - pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, some mothers-to-be may feel uneasy about taking medications. However, it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother’s asthma is well managed.

Your baby will do best if you are breathing well and easily. Uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy, and the stress and worry about uncontrolled asthma, has been linked to poorer outcomes for both baby and mother. Work with your doctor to create a written asthma action plan and have it reviewed at regular times during your pregnancy to make sure you are getting the best asthma care possible.

Asthma-friendly home

Most people with asthma find their symptoms get worse when they are exposed to certain triggers. Some of these triggers can be found in and around the average home. There are many ways in which you can transform your home into an asthma-friendly environment.

Asthma and complementary therapies

There are many complementary therapies that are available to people with asthma. Some people find these therapies helpful, but keep in mind to be careful to discuss your asthma and chosen therapies with both your doctor and complementary therapist.

This will make sure that you can monitor your asthma with your doctor to best assess whether the complimentary therapy has helped, harmed or had no effect on your asthma control and symptoms.

Many therapies are designed to complement your existing medical treatment – not replace it. Be careful to maintain the use of your asthma medications to avoid asthma attacks and worsening asthma symptoms while you explore alternative remedies.