Table 3.
Summarized table about the symptomatic treatment for initial symptoms developed by patients who get infected with Ebola, along with the description of medications and side effects. The table has been derived from Department of Health, Republic of South Africa (Clinical Management of patients with Ebola virus disease (2015), (URL:http://www.nicd.ac.za/assets/files/clin_mx_feb15.pdf) and Ebola Clinical Care Guidelines organized by the Public Health Agency of Canada (URL www.ammi.ca/media/69846/Ebola%20Clinical%20Care%20Guidelines%202%20Sep%202014.pdf).
| Symptoms observed in the patients | Symptomatic treatment | Description of the treatment | Side-effects that may occur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headache, Fever, Chills, Body Ache | Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) | Acetoaminophen is a p-aminophenol derivative with analgesic and antipyretic properties. The antipyretic property is because of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and release in the CNS. | (i) May cause skin, eyes, and respiratory irritations. (ii) It may be harmful, if swallowed. |
| Pain (Joints, Chest, Bones, Abdomen) | Morphine, Fentanil (fentanyl) | Morphine is an opiate alkaloid extracted from the Poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). It binds and activates specific opiate receptors that are involved in controlling most of the functions of brain. Fentanil is a synthetic, lipophilic phenyl piperidine opoid agonist anesthetic and analgesic property. | (i) Morphine, if taken in excess may cause drowsiness and dizziness. (ii) Fentanil if swallowed, may be fatal, cause breathing difficulties, skin allergies, damages fertility and harm to breast fed children. |
| Diarrhoea | Imodium (Loperamide) | Loperamide is a synthetic agent chemically related to opiates with anti-diarrheal properties. | Toxic if swallowed. |
| Vomiting / Nausea | Metaclopramide, Ondansetron; some physicians may also recommend NG tube (Nasogastric Intubation) | Metaclopramide is a substituted benzamide and a derivative of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), with gastroprokinetic and anti-emetic effects. Ondansetron is a competitive serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist viz. used to treat nausea and vomiting. | (i) Metaclopramide may have reproductive toxicity. (ii) Ondansetron generally causes headaches, constipation and dizziness, and skin irritations. |
| Psychotic Episodes | Diazepam, Haloperidol | Diazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative with sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties. Haloperidol is a phenyl piperdinyl-butyrophenone that is used to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses. |
|
| Hiccups | Chlorpromazine may also be treated by using NG tube. | It is basically an anti-psychotic drug but has many other properties, it is used as an anti-emetic drug and it also used in the treatment of intractable hiccups. | Acute toxicity and causes skin problems. |