i figured ebola is a pretty heavy thing to swallow. originally written for my 'zine.
ebola zaire transmission: blood contact
fatality rate: 90%
vaccine: none
treatment: none
cure: none
symptoms: headache, muscle soreness and abdominal pain, starting around Day 7 (incubation period is 6-18 days). High fever. Internal blood clotting, resulting in red speckles on skin, and white, blistery rash that resembles tapioca pudding. The speckles darken and grow to become bruises, which cover the entire body. Internal clots also stop blood flow to various internal organs, which causes them to die and decay. Red eyes (bleeding into eyeballs) and lack of expression (deterioration of connective tissue between skin and muscle). External bleeding from skin pores, ears, eyes, nose, etc. which does not clot; hemophiliac-like blood. Massive vomiting of blood, which contains black, tarry particles (clumps of viruses). Loss of mind and personality accompanied by mild aggression or negativistic behaviour. Patient may enter coma. Internally, all organs are hemorrhaging and lining of the intestines and stomach are sloughed off. Bleeding into the chest cavity, intestines, and under the skin. Skin becomes very soft and will slide off at the least bit of pressure. Tongue becomes bright red, and top layer is torn off, most likely by the waves of blood vomit. Lining of esophagus is also sloughed off and either vomited or swallowed, in which case it will be regurgitated anyway. Convulsions begin, signalling the final phase. Uncontrolled vomiting of blood, and massive bleeding from anus, which is mixed with the aforementioned tarry particles and intestinal lining. Loss of consciousness. Death.
thanks to richard preston and his non-fiction novel "hot zone" for terrifying me, and at the same time, seducing me, with the idea of ebola.
