In the world of health, the health care providers usually
experience a large portion of an outbreak. For example, the Congo is
experiencing an outbreak of Ebola virus. Of seventy-two cases, twenty-three of
them were health care workers. While hospital workers try to wear protective
gear, if people see that they will be quarantined and alienated surrounded by
people in protective full body suits, that may discourage them from going to
the hospital. This could then cause the virus to be further spread throughout
the community. Therefore, protective measures for caregivers has been decreased
and the risk of them getting the virus has increased. If someone gets and
accidental needle stick with the Ebola virus in the United States in a lab
setting, it is far easier to treat since both the strain and time are known. In
areas such as the Congo, people can contract the virus and not even know for a
few days. Medical research shows that the virus can only be given an antivirus
within the first 48 hours and most times people do not have symptoms then,
which makes treatment complicated. These antidotes have been tested on animals
but not humans, so if a government wants them to be used for treatment then
they have to decide whether or not it is ethical.
It is
unfortunate that health care professionals are getting sick while trying to
help provide care. It makes sense though, and while I realize they are worried
about people not wanting to come to hospitals, I also I think they shouldn’t sacrifice
their own safety by lessening protective measures. As far as whether or not the
use of this antidote is ethical, since most people who contract the virus do in
fact die, I believe it couldn’t really do much harm. I think patients should be
informed of the risk and allowed to choose whether or not to take the
vaccination.
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