The Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan > Diseases and Conditions

​Ebola

Ebola is a viral disease that causes internal and external bleeding of the body. Once you contract the Ebola virus, it attacks your immune system, weakening it to the extent that your body fails to fight against it. Consequently it starts to kills cells inside your body. Ultimately the level of blood-clotting cells drops which leads to severe and uncontrollable bleeding. It also contributes to damage of the body organs. If not attended to timely, the disease may result in death.

Ebola is not as contagious as other viruses. It is usually spreads by contact with the skin or body fluids of an infected animal. From there it moves from person to person. People, who take care of the infected patients or bury them, are most prone to catching this disease.​​

The symptoms of Ebola are very much like malaria​. It takes around 5 to 10 days for the symptoms to show which can include the following:

  • High fever

  • Joint and muscle ache

  • Loss of appetite

  • Severe headache

  • Weakness

  • Sore throat

  • Stomach pain and diarrhoea 

Eventually, if these symptoms get worse, it causes bleeding inside the body and as well as from the eyes and ears. Few people may also experience bloody vomits, cough up blood or expel bloody stool.​​

If you find your fever prevailing for over 10 days with the above symptoms being clearly identified, have yourself examined by the doctors at the Family Health Services​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital. Once the doctor identifies the anomalies, they will intimate you to consult the Internal Medicine Services at The Aga Khan University Hospital. ​​
Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started.​​

It is very difficult to diagnose Ebola. To begin with, doctors will rule out other diseases like malaria, influenza or cholera and then proceed with the treatment. You will be recommended to take the following blood tests for diagnosis:

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): for detection of antigens (substance that leads the immune system to produce antibodies against it) in your body

  • Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR): used to examine the DNA of the body.​​

No cure for ebola has been identified as yet.

Our doctors working with the Internal Medicine Service Line​ will manage the symptoms of Ebola through oxygen replenishment, hypertension medicines and replacement of blood when needed.​​​​

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​

Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​
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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.