Ebola

He put countless people at risk by his lies. He may have been desperate but what a selfish man. Place blame where blame is due...had he not lied he may be alive today. Additionally, had he not lied he would not have put so many innocent people at risk especially his family.

When you have a patient lying, omitting very significant fact like he was exposed to ebola, yeah, I think he was treated fairly.

If he had come into the first hospital and told them there is a chance he has ebola, he would probably be alive. Hospitals aren't going to test you for something that shouldn't be in the country. He lied and only told the truth when he knew he had ebola.

Anyone would like to believe he didn't lie to the first hospital think about it. A guy comes in with the symptoms of ebola, then tells you he was from Africa and was in contact with someone who has ebola, would you have sent him home with antibiotics? Nah!! You would have been all over getting him tested and getting the medication there as quickly as possible so that if he gave it to you you are protected!

Seems like America can never do or spend enough to satisfy people. He could have been much more clear and forthcoming with his history yet we are blamed for that bc he is not a citizen. Citizen's of the US are now paying hundreds of thousands of dollars or maybe a million or more for a non-insured, non-citizen who wasn't as honest as he could have been yet once again we haven't done enough... I think it's ridiculous to criticize his care.

The fact was that his treatment started much, much later than the others you mentioned. Why? Because he wasn't completely up front about his possible exposure to Ebola ,even though he mentioned that he was from Liberia. The others were healthcare workers and as soon as they got a fever they were whisked off for treatment. Ebola is much more treatable if dealt with early.

The experimental drug is gone. There were only like 2 or 3 doses in the world.

It sounds like he got very good treatment after he was properly diagnosed. Unfortunately the diagnosis came late because 1) the hospital folks messed up and 2) he wasn't completely forthcoming.

Let's not make this into more than it really is.

He could have done more to help himself, such as telling the hospital the first time "I just got here from Liberia, helped with Ebola patients and probably have Ebola." After lying about it to get to the us to save his life, I have no idea why he played coy when faced with the medical personnel who could help him. Why didn't he speak up when they started to send him home?

There is such a thing as personal responsibility.

I used to work at Presby dallas. It is a fine hospital, with some of the finest nurses and doctors I've ever known. I have no doubt they all did everything they could - including exposing themselves to the disease - to try to save this man and provide all care possible. Good for them and shame on anyone who suggests otherwise.

I live within 15 minutes of the hospital where Mr. Duncan was treated as well as the Care Now that the deputy went to yesterday.

The hospital system here is great and Texas Health where Mr. Duncan was treated is a top notch hospital. The issue was the lapse of communication with the staff when resulted in him going home for another 3 days. I am very surprised that someone on the staff did not take his comment seriously or just overlooked it.

Do I think he would have recovered at another hospital... maybe yes, maybe no. I do not feel like he was treated unfairly which is what Jesse Jackson was here this week trying to drum up. He was not given the drugs that the first 2 people who arrived here with Ebola was given because there is no more of that medicine. He WAS given an experimental medication but possibly it was administered too late in the process. Good grief, his family has been relocated to a VERY nice place to live in quarantine while the rest of the people in the apartment complex are left to figure things out on their own. In no way do I feel like Mr. Duncan or his family have been treated unfairly. WE are paying for all of this care, cleaning, re-housing, medical, etc.

As for the Deputy who is now at the hospital being tested, I do not understand for the life of me WHY he went to a Care Now when he was supposedly keeping track of his own potential symptoms and when he felt the need to be safe over sorry, he opts for a Care Now instead of Texas Health where they are prepared for someone like him to come in. He at least should have contacted the authorities who had instructed him to be monitoring his symptoms.

The Care Now is not supposed to reopen until Friday and the 14 or so people who were there, mostly staff, are upset that they are potentially exposed to something. We are waiting on the tests.

Mr. Duncan did lie to get into the US and I believe he knew if he told the truth, he would be denied entry to the US. He was wrong in that regard and his actions have put people in the US at risk.

I do think it was bound to happen in the US but I also think we are more prepared and civilized with our medical treatments and personal hygiene and can hopefully get rid Ebola.

I always say if you're not going to be 100% honest with your doctor, there is no point in going. He should have just stayed where he was a died. It's his fault for lying and I really don't give a rat's a$$ if he was treated fairly or not. He wasn't fair with the public at large; he had nothing coming IMHO.

We don't have all the information, only what the liberal media wants to give us. And the government won't tell us the truth either. What is my take on it with the information that has been given??

1. He did NOT tell the truth on his screening forms.
2. He did not tell the truth to the doctor who originally treated him in the ER.
3. He outright LIED on his questionnaire if he had been in contact with anyone with ebola.

Was he treated unfairly? NO. If he had told the truth from the beginning - he MIGHT be alive today.

Would his outcome have been different if he had went to another hospital? MAYBE - ONLY IF he told the truth so he could have been tested then and there.

Am I sorry he died? Yes. It's sad that his son is now without a father.

Now the better question is - why is Al Sharpton and/or Jesse Jackson involved? Trying to get a protest rally together?? Maybe get more people infected???

And the better question is - WHY did 0bama send 4 THOUSAND soldiers to Liberia to "fight" ebola?? What are they going to do?? Shoot a virus?? It scares me that our troops and their families are already being threatened by ISIS and NOW we are putting SOLDIERS on the ground to "fight" a disease?? They aren't doctors. They aren't trained for this...

Honestly, all the information I have gotten is from the news. And it said he was in close contact with someone having/dying for Ebola. IF this is true, sorry, but I have very little sympathy for someone that knew he could have the virus that knowingly could have infected more. I understand his wanting to come back to the US, but he should have been upfront right away that not only was he from Liberia, but he was in close contact with someone with the virus. That alone would have made whole world of difference in Texas. If he went into the hospital in Tx with those symptoms and said, I just got back from Liberia where I was taking care of a relative with Ebola, he would have had better treatment! We are not prepared for it, and we are beginning to now thankfully.

There is not any of the experimental drug left. Remember 30,000 people die of the flu yearly. Put it in perspective. I think after the elections we won't hear much. Just my opinion.

I think this Ebola story is out of control. The man's situation was not handled well, obviously - but it may not have any connection to his being from Liberia. He was exposed to Ebola when he helped transport a dying patient for treatment. A few looks at the inadequate health care facilities in Africa will make it very clear why this situation is out of control. Moreover, there are insufficient drugs for treatment. I don't think we know that he wasn't honest on the questionnaire, do we?

Nobody pays attention to hospital oversights and mistakes until there is a panic fomented by media outlets trying to vie for viewers. There are thousands of deaths every year from the flu, drug interactions/toxicity, unvaccinated individuals (we just had a measles problem in Massachusetts), and health practices/industrial problems giving people cancer. But there's no outcry against people who go to work when they are really sick or sending their kids to school sick because they can't take time off from work - and these illnesses expose people with compromised immune systems to deadly infections. People don't wash their hands after using the bathroom, and hospitals are rampant with staph, MRSA and E. coli infections from improper hygiene or screening. Proper containment is just as important in these cases as with Ebola, but there's an acceptance by the public that "these things happen."

I also heard a detailed report by Richard Besser that there just isn't enough medication - the drug companies won't or can't make it. If you want a scandal, let's look at the profits in pharmaceuticals that make it unprofitable to manufacture drugs for diseases that don't affect enough people to guarantee a return on investment. And let's look at why it takes so long to get any kind of decent health screening and containment units in west Africa (medical tents should take 3 weeks but it's much longer now) and effective isolation units to prevent the spread. That's what outrages me.

I'm not scared of Ebola. I'm taking precautions but I don't support this widespread panic that is ignoring other threats that are much more immediate and cause far more deaths. I wish the media, and the public, would look at the whole picture and not just the sensational aspects.

We saw the same panic with Legionnaire's Disease, bird flu, SARS, swine flu, etc. As soon as one fades, another one rears its head. I work with scientists dealing with immune system issues, and all agree that there's so much more that can be done and techniques that are readily available. But they don't make good headlines.

ETA; Just saw this report on 6 diseases that are a much bigger threat: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/six-diseases-actually...

I'm sure if the Doctors started testing him for Ebola and he didn't have it, they would have been accused of profiling. He should have been honest, he knew he had it.

I think it's a bunch of wasted time to worry about it. You have to come into very close contact with someone to contract it - skin to skin, getting their blood on or in you, etc... It won't spread like wild fire, it certainly won't spread even like the common cold. It is difficult to treat and the mortality rate is very high, so I doubt sending him to a different hospital would have prevented his death. It is far less dangerous over here because we practice better hygiene in general, and many of the people in Liberia simply wouldn't conform to the necessary restrictions when dealing with family members who were sick, that's how it spread so fast.

I do think Thomas Duncan was treated fairly. Mistakes were made, to be sure, but who's to say whether those were the result of lies, miscommunications, or simply one of those unfortunate slips that can occur in a busy, high-stress environment like a hospital. I wasn't there and can't judge, but from what I've heard and read, it sounds like every effort was made to treat him as soon as they were aware of his advanced diagnosis.

As far as your question, though, I will say, according to CNN, Mr. Duncan received one of the experimental drugs approved for Ebola. He just didn't receive it as quickly as the others, likely due to the delay in his diagnosis. As far as the blood transfusion goes, I don't know if he received transfusions to treat the blood loss caused by the disease, but that should not be confused with blood transfusions from known ebola survivors, which is a treatment they have been attempting with some of the patients. He did not receive one of those transfusions, according to an article yesterday, because there was no match for his blood type. However, two of the other patients were a blood type match for one of the doctors who survived the virus, and that doctor donated blood for them.

When it comes down to it, I think it's common for people to be angry and confused when a loved one dies in the hospital because there is the sense that those are the experts who should be able to fix things. I think people like to have someone to blame for bad outcomes. (In fact, I remember feeling this way when my sister-in-law died two years ago; it seemed like someone should have been able to do something better or differently.But sometimes their best just isn't enough.)

But as has been pointed out, there is a high death rate with ebola. So far about 3400 people of the 7000 infected have died in Africa. So, it's a tragic and unwanted outcome for Mr. Duncan to die, but not exactly a shock in light of the way the outbreak has progressed, particularly given his direct, close contact with the young lady who he was helping in Liberia (who also died from it, I might add).

Oh my Lord so much misinformation here. I truly profoundly long for the days when shows that were called news had to tell the truth.

I also long for the days when people knew enough science to grasp the most basic facts about transmission, when people didn't feel that they knew more than everyone else and would jump to conclusions so long as it proved their pet theories to be true.

I am not happy about soldiers going into this fray any more than you are, but no you dont shoot disease you do provide security for doctors, nurses and supplies.... You want ISIS to stay in another country you send troops in harms way you want disease to stay in other countries same thing still applies.... Until you understand what their mission is and how they will be used and WHAT troops - are you familiar with our exemplary forces who are active duty military who ARE nurses and doctors and DO know about diseases?? SMH

I don't think the US medical personnel are/were fully prepared to deal with this domestically, and the threat has not been taken seriously until now. His death will not be in vain, as with this passing, measures are being put into place to better handle cases such as his.
It was my understanding that there were no anti-viral meds on hand once his case was confirmed. This is also an issue- again not prepared. I do think he had his best chance here in the US once the diagnosis was made, and I was sorry to hear he didn't survive.
The fact is that the symptoms of Ebola mimic other illnesses, like the flu. I can understand why- to date- these symptoms would not have been taken as seriously as they should. No confirmed cases, flu and cold season starting, etc. It's going to be an interesting flu season for sure this year.I can see where people would panic when presented with flu symptoms with all the media hype. It's important that people educate themselves on Ebola - symptoms, transmission, etc. We don't want a chicken little situation.

According to an article a few days ago, Liberia was considering charging him because when he was to leave that country he was asked if he had contact with anyone and he said no. He did have contact. He attempted to assist getting a neighbor to the hospital but she died on the way. He knew he was a risk before even getting on any airline. I do think it was a mistake the first time he went to the hospital. I don;t think it was a mistake in how they treated and when they provided meds. The drug is experimental---meaning they must have approval. I read an article today and they do have a point that they were able to get ready for the US patients versus when he went in as a patient. I don;t think it would have made a difference in hospitals. He was already sick for several days.

I too have been reading the news stories about Ebola, perhaps a little bit too obsessively.

I am of the camp who say this man had a moral obligation to tell the truth regarding whether he had been exposed to the Ebola Virus. That his own agenda was so important that he made the choice to check no instead of yes to that particular question was abhorrent and far beyond abject selfishness on his part. He termed this woman who he knowingly exposed to this virus, who he planned on marrying, as "the love of his life"? Uhm, okay.

By making the choice to be dishonest, he lost all sympathy with me whatsoever.

As for the U.S. military that are being sent to West Africa? Correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that they largely are being sent to help erect hospitals and treatment facilities, but not to treat this disease.

I would much prefer, instead of "screening" for fevers (that can and will be reduced with the use of a Motrin or a Tylenol), that, aside from essential personnel, NO ONE be allowed into this country whose flights originated from these particular areas. That's an abundance of caution that I could live with.

He and the American public weren't treated "fairly" when an under-educated team of doctor's and nurses sent him home with antibiotics, letting him get much more ill and possibly spread infection. He reported to them that he was from Liberia and the information was disseminated to several people and he was still sent home. He returned two days later much sicker. Such a huge, horrifying, mistake.

Then the anti-viral medicine wasn't administered until he had been in the hospital for days. :(

it's so easy to start blaming in retrospect. the careless doctors, the insouciant nurses, the inept government, obama who wants america to die slowly, and of course, the liberal media (the conservative media NEVER distorts.)
the dude lied. if you give your medical professionals bogus information, they can't whip out their crystal balls and treat you appropriately anyway. it sounds as if the hospital where he was treated was perfectly competent. the 'expert' hospitals aren't going to be able to save everyone, especially those who lie about their situation.
our 'stupid government' (which often is) sent troops to support liberia in a desperate situation. i have my own issues with us fitzing about all over the world being 'helpful', but if we're going to help a vast array of rebels, erstaz 'allies' and conveniently wealthy un-friends, i'm happy to see us actually doing something for a country that ISN'T really able to reward us handsomely for our 'help'. sometimes we just go where we're needed because there's a need.
ebola has a specific profile and there are specific guidelines in place for those who treat the suffering. it's dangerous, yes. we rarely send our troops out to have garden parties.
ebola is a grave concern. it's not cthulhu. i wish the media (liberal AND conservative) would be a little judicious about how they try to scramble for ratings, and focus just a bit on accuracy.
khairete
S.

I don't think they were "Oh, well, we should think this could be Ebola! Let's over react".

I think now that this has happened everyone is going to be on task and looking for it more.

I am terrified. It is passed through a cough and sneeze. It can live OUTSIDE the human body for 4 DAYS....that means if someone sneezed, that has it, in Walmart, over their cart, that everyone that has touched that cart since has been exposed.

I think the hospital made mistakes but I also don't think that Americans are ready for something like this. There has not been a major outbreak of anything since the Spanish flu in the early 1900's.

Most hospitals could handle a few people with Ebola, but if 20 or more come in it would overwhelm the best of them. This is a highly contagious disease which the CDC is down playing to not create a panic. The WHO says it can be spread by sneezing, coughing, etc. and the virus lives for quite a while without a host (they have been dealing with this a lot longer then us). I also don't think we (the public) know how many are being treated right now. Between the government flying people in for treatments, open boarders and no flight restrictions I fear this going to get worse very soon.

Also the military that was sent to help is there to try and protect the doctors, nurses and aids. The medical staff (WHO & UN) over in the African countries have been getting attacked.

I wanted to add that each patient in the hospital with Ebola is a biohazard. Their vomit, sweat, feces, etc. needs to be destroyed properly. They can't just use the regular bathrooms and flush it into the public sewers. I think the hospitals here would not be able to handle a mess like that and that's why it is spreading so fast. I have also read that animals (like dogs) can carry the virus without it affecting them and spread it.