What's Worse Ebola or Marburg Virus?

Let's not forget HIV, smallpox, Hantaviris, Dengue, SARS and Bird Flu.
And the O. you're most likely to die from? Influenza.

"On the loose"? Really?
Step away from the internet!

I think it's really important to look at science and medicine rather than try to evaluate via internet searches. For example, saying the Ebola virus is "on the loose" is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

Personally, I'd be happy if politicians would stop cutting the funding for agencies like the CDC and disaster preparedness, and blocking the appointment of a Surgeon General for the past year, so we could have a top medical official in place and sensible, scientifically-based prevention measures as well as sufficient funding for vaccines and medications and protocols.

Any virus can go anywhere. The point is, what are we going to do about it to be better prepared rather than panicked at the last minute?

Maybe if the politicians would stop taking actions to cut resources and then blaming the agencies as soon as there's a problem, and if politicians would stop making medical decisions like quarantine policies, we'd have a much smaller problem. If there weren't an election coming up, there would be a lot less pontificating by people who don't know what they're talking about.

But honestly, listening to the media (mainstream as well as extreme), you'd think this was the biggest threat to the country. It just isn't. One person died because of a medical/administrative mistake. Tragic but not worthy of a nationwide panic. Thousands of people died last week due to other causes. I really think we need to keep our eye on the ball.

Not sure but I am not scared at all especially since I have a greater chance of being struck by lightening than of contracting one of these viruses. (Yes it would suck to have Ebola but you are aware that the two nurses that caught it in Texas are cured correct?!?)

Internet searches aren't really research.

I would step away from Google if you have any fear about catching Ebola or any other virus that is no real threat to you.

what's worse than either ebola or marburg? internet 'research' that keeps terror at the screaming pitch.
if you get either one of 'em you're going to be miserable, and perhaps die.
but you're not going to.
step away from teh goOglez.
khairete
S.

Anything can come to the states. Anything. We live in a world where you can hop on a plane in the morning and end up in another country by nightfall.

It's funny how Ebola was not a huge deal to us until it ended up here. People in Africa were suffering and we barely noticed. Same with aids not being a big deal until straight people started getting it from blood transfusions.

I'm not a doctor, so I don't have the ability or knowledge enough to know which disease is worse or "scarier". I can't make that judgement call.

What I can say is that I am more concerned about things like the flu because more people die from the flu than Ebola.

Part of the reason people are so hyped and scared is because of the media has blown it way out of proportion with a lot of misinformation.

When it comes to comparing the scariness between two disease that I'll probably never get, I won't waste my time in speculation. I will continue to live my life, and take the usual precautions to safeguard my health. I'll become more watchful if/when my local health department, my doctor, or the CDC issues warnings for my local area.

K.,

WOW...huge change in questions for you...

Both are bad...they are related and both are hemorrhagic fevers viruses...both have been around for decades.

In 1996, we had a bad bout of Ebola right here in Reston...

Both viruses are contracted through animals. Then the spread is typical - bodily fluids - snot, saliva, blood, feces, needles, etc. No one knows how long the virus stays alive once it hits a surface.

There are no known drugs that will effectively treat either virus...people are treated for complications and to keep them comfortable. Other than that?? Survival rates on both are about 65%.

Are you saying you are scared that you will get either of the viruses?? If so - your chances of contracting it are small UNLESS you work in the health care industry, going to Africa to help care for those who have it or have/make life choices that are questionable (things that involve dirty needles, etc.) or last but not least - work at a zoo and come in contact with infected animals.

Otherwise? Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands. Wipe down carts before you use them. If you are working out? Spray the surface down and wipe.

And yes. Both have been here in the US..Marburg was in Denver in 2008.

Hope this helps!

Yes, I have most definitely heard of the Marburg Virus. Personally, I don't know which I fear most, probably Marburg but that may simply be because I am not as informed about Marburg.
You may be interested to know that Marburg had already been in the states. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5849a2.htm?mob...

The irony is that the CDC has known about these viruses for decades and was still ill prepared with this latest Ebola outbreak and when it finally crossed into the states. We seem to have this belief that we are somehow untouchable or something

I think they are both equally bad, they are both level 4 biohazard infectious diseases and Ebola seems to have a higher death rate. These viruses are not like the flu. Healthy people can get the flu and fight it off with no problem (it's those who have weak immunes that die from the flu), but healthy people that get Ebola or Marburg will probably die.

Any virus can come to the US, everything is only about an 18 hour plane ride away. We even have the plague still effecting animals and a few humans here in the US. The thing is that once it gets in it is important to quarantine that person and contain the virus.

People are fearful now because of the mistakes made in TX, and that people can come in and walk around for weeks with no symptoms (NYC). I don't think people are wrong to be afraid, but they shouldn't panic.

Anything can come and go anywhere by a million different methods, You can search the internet and probably come up with a ton of diseases that are just as frightening.

I don't know, but I do know that the chances of either one affecting any of our lives is slim to none. I'd have a higher chance of being struck by lightening.

You can learn all you want, but this is one of those things where you have very little control. Normally I would say, "Knowledge is power." But this is one of those things that you just cannot control.

Do what you can. Wash your hands, and practice good habits. Talk to your doctor if you do hear of someone who may have been exposed. But I wouldn't waste any more energy on something that you cannot control. Let it go. That is so much healthier.