Ebola education minimizes fear Published Oct. 31, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Miller 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Halloween time is upon us, and while this is the time of year we all love a good scare, one thing not to fear is Ebola. Ebola has been in the news on a daily basis, and with the emergence of a few cases in the United States, it is important to know the facts and how to protect yourself and your family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola is spread through direct contact, through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth with blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola. Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. If you have recently traveled to West Africa and have visited countries such as Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone, or have had direct contact with someone who has traveled to those regions, it is important to be on the lookout for these signs and symptoms: · Fever - greater than 100.4 · Severe headache · Muscle pain · Weakness · Diarrhea · Vomiting · Abdominal (stomach) pain · Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising) Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is eight to 10 days. If these symptoms develop, contact the 56th Medical Group Central Appointments line at 623- 856-2273, for direction regarding medical care prior to coming to the clinic. For more information regarding the Ebola Virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/ebola.