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Why does early medical treatment improve the chances of surviving Ebola?

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Ebolavirus and Ebola virus disease — Ebola Numerous filamentous ebolavirus particles (blue) budding from a chronically-infected VERO E6 cell (yellow-green) in this digitally colorized scanning electron micrograph produced by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Early medical intervention is critical for surviving Ebola because the disease progresses rapidly and causes severe, life-threatening complications. The virus triggers a condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation, which leads to widespread blood clotting and hemorrhaging in internal organs, often resulting in shock or renal failure within 8 to 17 days of the onset of symptoms.1

Because there is no cure that eliminates the virus instantly, treatment focuses on supportive care to sustain the patient's body while the immune system fights the infection. This includes the administration of fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration, as well as medications to stabilize blood pressure and manage other emerging complications. For the Zaire strain, targeted antibody therapies, such as Inmazeb (REGN-EB3) and Ebanga (mAb114), are also used to help reduce mortality. Seeking care early allows medical professionals to manage these severe symptoms before they become irreversible, significantly increasing the patient's chances of recovery.23