Infectious Disease

Ebola Virus Infection: What to Know

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is part of a group of diseases called viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF). The Ebola virus enters the body through cuts or scratches on the skin. It can also get in through moist body surfaces, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. EVD can damage blood vessels and cause internal bleeding. Your kidneys and liver can become badly damaged.

EVD is a medical emergency. It requires treatment in a hospital. EVD can easily spread to others, which means it's contagious.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by contact with:

Body fluids of an infected person, such as poop, pee, blood, semen, vomit, saliva, breast milk, or sweat. You can get EVD from contact with semen from a male who has had EVD.
Objects that had infected blood or body fluids on it, such as needles, syringes, bedding, or clothing. It's not known how long the virus lasts on objects.
Blood or other body fluids of infected animals, such as fruit bats or primates.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop an EVD if:

You live in an area where EVD is most often found, such as Africa.
You go to an area with a recent VHF outbreak.
You've been in contact with an infected person.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition usually begin 2–21 days after the virus enters the body. They may include:

Sudden high fever.
Headache, backache, sore throat, or bone and muscle aches.
Feeling very tired or weak.
Stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Bleeding or bruising without an injury.
Bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, gums, vagina, or rectum.
Confusion or seizures.

How is this diagnosed?

EVD may be diagnosed by:

Your symptoms and medical history.
Your travel history.
Blood tests.

How is this treated?

This condition must be treated in a hospital where safety measures, also called contact precautions, are followed. This keeps the infection from spreading to others. During treatment, people with EVD are isolated or separated from other patients. Treatment may include:

Medicine to help stop the virus from making more of itself.
IV fluids.
Receiving donated blood, also called a transfusion.
Keeping the right amount of salts and minerals (electrolytes) in your body.
Checking your blood oxygen level and blood pressure.
Treating any other infections you may get.

You'll have blood tests to check for the virus. If two blood tests show no more virus, you can leave isolation.

Follow these instructions at home:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed antibiotics, take them as told by your provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Do not have vaginal, rectal, or oral sex for 12 months after the start of your symptoms, or for as long as told by your provider.
- The virus may spread through a male's semen, even if their blood test is negative. Your provider may test your or your partner's semen before you have sex.
- If you choose to have sex during this time, practice safe sex by using a condom correctly each time.
Do not breastfeed your child until your breast milk tests show no virus.
Return to your normal activities as told by your provider. Ask your provider what activities are safe for you.
Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider will want to monitor your symptoms.

Where to find more information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.govopens in new tab/window

Contact a health care provider if:

You continue to have symptoms of EVD. Tell your provider if you have:
- Bone and muscle aches.
- Eye problems, including eye pain, redness, dry eyes, if light bothers your eyes, or blurry vision.
- Hearing problems.
- Stomach pain.
- Headaches.

Get help right away if:

You have symptoms that return, especially:
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Bleeding.

If you or someone else show signs of EVD, call 911.

Do not go directly to a hospital or provider's office.
Tell emergency services your symptoms and that you think it's EVD. Health care workers can be ready for your visit. You can be diagnosed quickly and others can be protected from the infection.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Document Revised: 10/26/2025 Document Reviewed: 04/05/2024