Currently, two of the most deadly diseases are Ebola and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
Ebola
Ebola is term used for a group of viruses which carry the disease Ebola hemorrhagic fever. This virus is extremely fatal as 90% of the people who have this virus die. The spread of Ebola can occur through direct contact with an infected person or his or her body fluids. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease yet. Symptoms for this disease can include:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Weakness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headaches
- Dehydration
- Coughing
Hiccups, red eyes and rashes can be seen in some patients. This virus can only survive while the host is alive and usually kills the victim after the second week of Ebola symptoms.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that destroys a particular type of blood cell in our body called the helper T cell (CD4 cell). CD4 cells help the immune system function normally. HIV uses the cell to replicate itself and when it replicates itself, it damages the CD4 cell. The more CD4 cells damaged, the weaker our immune system and eventually our immune system becomes so weak that it cannot fight off other illnesses or infections and so we eventually die of those illnesses or infections. Symptoms of the initial stage of HIV include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Joint and muscle pain
- Swollen glands
- Rash on the chest
These symptoms are very mild and can often be mistaken for other viruses. The symptoms of the late stages of HIV (which usually occurs once the CD4 cells in your body are left to a dangerously low level usually after 10 years) include:
- Blurred vision
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Dried cough
- Diarrhoea
- Swollen glands
- Severe Fever
- White spots on your tongue
HIV is spread in three different ways:
- Through sexual intercourse
- Direct contact with infected blood
- From an infected mother to her unborn child
Currently there is no cure for HIV.
Why HIV is more Dangerous than Ebola
The reason why HIV is more dangerous than Ebola is the fact that HIV takes about 10 years to kill its host while Ebola just takes a matter of weeks. Because HIV takes around 10 years to kill its host, during that time the host may still infect others with HIV while Ebola only has the chance to spread in a matter of weeks.
