Ebola Virus Facts Vs. Fiction: Four Truths You Need To Know; Learn What They Are To Help Keep You And Your Family Safe

How many Ebola virus facts do you know?

Fear mounts with the rising number of infected people. But as challenging as this epidemic is, know that you always have the chance to stay safe given that you could tell Ebola virus facts from fiction.  As with most illnesses, whether they be contagious or not, knowledge is the first step to prevention.

Here are four fictitious beliefs and their Ebola virus facts counterparts shared by Web MD you must consider carefully:

1.    Fiction: The virus is currently airborne.

Fact: The virus could only be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's bodily secretions. This includes tears, blood, saliva, vomit, stool, breast milk, semen and urine.

Vox interviewed Peter Jahrling, a top US scientist studying the virus, and asked him about the likelihood that it could become airborne. He said that despite this possibility the virus's future mutation can bring, it would still require a radical change to become airborne.

2.    Fiction: Staying physically close to people automatically transmits the virus.

Fact: If they are infected, then you are at risk, especially if you come in contact with their bodily fluids. Inhaling the same air does not put you in danger unless the person sneezes or coughs at you and bits of mucus or saliva land on your skin.

3.    Fiction: You can catch Ebola virus even if the person does not display symptoms.

Fact: Infected people are not contagious until the symptoms begin to surface. Symptoms can surface within 2-21 days after contamination. They include the following: fever, muscle ache, headache and sore throat.

4.     Fiction: There are now vaccinations that people can acquire to keep from contracting the virus.

Fact: Researchers are currently validating the potential advantages of two vaccines. But they are still in the experimental phases. To ensure that they are effective, scientists need to run tests that involve vaccinating uninfected people.