Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search

		Submit


Ebola Disease


Section Navigation
			
			CDC Home








Survivors						Print
																Related Pages
										In the wake of the 2014 West Africa and 2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo outbreaks, the two largest outbreaks of Ebola disease to date, there are now more Ebola disease survivors than ever before. This large number of survivors provides a chance to better understand how ebolaviruses affect people who have recovered, and to advise survivors on how to take care of themselves and their communities.
Recovery from Ebola
Recovery from Ebola disease depends on good supportive care and the patient’s immune response. Investigational treatments are also increasing overall survival.
Those who do recover develop antibodies that can last 10 years, possibly longer. Survivors are thought to have some protective immunity to the species of ebolavirus that sickened them. It is not known if people who recover are immune for life or if they can later become infected with a different species of ebolavirus. Some survivors may have long-term complications, such as joint and vision problems.
Health Concerns for Survivors of Ebola
In most cases, people who have completely recovered from Ebola disease do not become reinfected. However, many survivors suffer from health issues after recovery from Ebola.
The most commonly reported complications are:
Tiredness
Headaches
Muscle and joint pain
Eye and vision problems (blurry vision, pain, redness, and light sensitivity)
Weight gain
Stomach pain or loss of appetiteOther health problems can include memory loss, neck swelling, dry mouth, tightness of the chest, hair loss, hearing problems (ringing in the ears and hearing loss), pain or tingling in the hands and feet, inflammation of the pericardium (tissue around the heart), inflammation of one or both testicles, changes in menstruation, impotence, decreased or lost interest in sex, difficulty falling or remaining asleep, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[1]–[9]
The timing of onset, severity, and duration of complications among Ebola disease survivors are variable.
Persistence of Ebolaviruses
Ebolaviruses can remain in areas of the body that are immunologically privileged sites after acute infection. These are sites where viruses and pathogens, like ebolaviruses, are shielded from the survivor’s immune system, even after being cleared elsewhere in the body. These areas include the testes, interior of the eyes, placenta, and central nervous system, particularly the cerebrospinal fluid. Whether the virus is present in these body parts and for how long varies by survivor.
Scientists continue to study the long-term effects of ebolavirus infection, including viral persistence, to better understand how to provide treatment and care to Ebola disease survivors.References[1] Qureshi AI, Chughtai M, Loua TO, Pe Kolie J, Camara HF, Ishfaq MF, N’Dour CT, Beavogui K. Study of Ebola Virus Disease Survivors in Guinea. *Clin Infect Dis*. 2015 Oct 1;61(7):1035-42.
[2] Nanyonga M, Saidu J, Ramsay A, Shindo N, Bausch DG. Sequelae of Ebola Virus Disease, Kenema District, Sierra Leone. *Clin Infect Dis*. 2016 Jan 1;62(1):125-6.
[3] Epstein L, Wong KK, Kallen AJ, Uyeki TM. Post EVD signs and symptoms in U.S. survivors. *N Engl J Med*. 2015;373:2484-6.
[4] Mohammed A, Sheikh TL, Gidado S, Poggensee G, Nguku P, Olayinka A, Ohuabunwo C, Waziri N, Shuaib F, Adeyemi J, Uzoma O, Ahmed A, Doherty F, Nyanti SB, Nzuki CK, Nasidi A, Oyemakinde A, Oguntimehin O, Abdus-Salam IA, Obiako RO. An evaluation of psychological distress and social support of survivors and contacts of Ebola virus disease infection and their relatives in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross sectional study–2014. *BMC Public Health*. 2015 Aug 27;15:824.
[5] Clark DV, Kibuuka H, Millard M, Wakabi S, Lukwago L, Taylor A, Eller MA, Eller LA, Michael NL, Honko AN, Olinger GG Jr, Schoepp RJ, Hepburn MJ, Hensley LE, Robb ML. Long-term sequelae after Ebola virus disease in Bundibugyo, Uganda: a retrospective cohort study. *Lancet Infect Dis*. 2015 Aug;15(8):905-12.
[6] Kibadi K, Mupapa K, Kuvula K, Massamba M, Ndaberey D, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Bwaka MA, De Roo A, Colebunders R. Late ophthalmologic manifestations in survivors of the 1995 Ebola virus epidemic in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo. *J Infect Dis*. 1999 Feb;179 Suppl 1:S13-4.
[7] Bwaka MA, Bonnet MJ, Calain P, Colebunders R, De Roo A, Guimard Y, Katwiki KR, Kibadi K, Kipasa MA, Kuvula KJ, Mapanda BB, Massamba M, Mupapa KD, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Ndaberey E, Peters CJ, Rollin PE, Van den Enden E, Van den Enden E. Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo: clinical observations in 103 patients. *J Infect Dis*. 1999 Feb;179 Suppl 1:S1-7.
[8] Chancellor JR, Padmanabhan SP, Greenough TC, Sacra R, Ellison RT, Madoff LC, Droms RJ, Hinkle DM,  Asdourian GK, Finberg RW, Stroher U, Uyeki TM, Cerón OM. Uveitis and systemic inflammatory markers in convalescent phase of Ebola virus disease. *Emerg Infect Dis*. 2016 Feb [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2202.151416
[9] Mahadevan S, Mansaray Y, Marcell L, McKay G, O’Dempsey T, Parris V, Pinto R, Rangel A, Salam AP, Shantha J, Wolfman V, Yeh S, Chan AK, Mishra S. Early clinical sequelae of Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study. *Lancet Infect Dis*. 2015 Dec 22. pii: S1473-3099(15)00489-2. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00489-2. [Epub ahead of print]Related ResourcesWhat Is Ebola Virus Disease?
History of Ebola Virus Disease
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  April 21, 2023						Source: 	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP), Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB)
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeEbola Disease
What is Ebola Disease?
Transmission
Signs and Symptoms
Prevention and Vaccineplus icon
Handwashing
Diagnosis
Treatmentplus icon
Survivors
Outbreaksplus icon
History of Ebola Outbreaks
Ebola Disease Distribution Map: Cases of Ebola Disease in Africa Since 1976
September 2022 Uganda, Mubende District
August 2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu
April 2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equateur Province
October 2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu Province
2021 Guinea, N’Zérékoré Prefecture
February 2021 Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu Province
2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equateur Province
2018 Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congoplus icon
Overview
What’s New
What CDC is Doing
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola Outbreak Map
Ebola Communication and Awareness Resources
2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bikoro
2017 Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bas Uélé District
2014–2016 Ebola Outbreak in West Africaplus icon
The Cost of the Ebola Epidemic
2014–2016 Ebola Outbreak Distribution in West Africa
Case Counts
2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa Epidemic Curves
2014 Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Outbreak Preparedness
Outbreak Response Storiesplus icon
A Focus on Ebola Response
It’s not over until it’s over
Long flights, long days mark vaccine campaign
Roads to Uganda
How community feedback shapes the Ebola response
Ebola outbreak becomes a class act for EIS officers
In the shadow of the volcano
Congo-born CDC photographer rooting for Ebola responders
Fighting Ebola on familiar ground
There’s no silver bullet
Strength In Numbers
Responding to a case of Ebola in Goma
Fighting Ebola: Every day is a Monday
Protecting the Health of Communities
Collaborating across Time Zones
Being Creative in Goma
Crunching the Numbers
Supporting the Laboratory in Uganda
Supporting the Ministry of Health
Protecting Uganda’s Border
Watching DRC’s Border
Cliniciansplus icon
Ebola Disease for U.S. Cliniciansplus icon
Infection Prevention and Control
Acute Hemodialysis
Pregnant Women
Handling Human Remains
Neonatal Care
Ebola Vaccine: Information about ERVEBO®plus icon
Contraindications and precautions for ERVEBO®
Administration of ERVEBO®
Request initial doses ERVEBO®
Request Booster Doses of ERVEBO®
Screening Patientsplus icon
Guide for Evaluating an Ill Person
Management of Survivors
Considerations for Discharging people under evaluation for selected Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF)
Hospital Guidance
Survivability of Ebolaviruses in Medical Waste
Handling Ebola-Associated Waste
Emergency Servicesplus icon
EMS Systems and 9-1-1 Answering Points
Air Medical Transport SOP
Patient Handoff SOP
Air-to-Ground Patient Handoff SOP
Ambulance Decontamination
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)plus icon
Guidance for Confirmed Ebola Patients or Clinically Unstable PUIs
Guidance for Clinically Stable PUIs
Ebola PPE Frequently Asked Questions
Non-US Healthcare Settingsplus icon
Preventing Injury from Injections and Sharps in Non-U.S. General Healthcare Settings
Hand Hygiene in Non-U.S. General Healthcare Settings
Rationale and Considerations for Chlorine Use in Infection Control for Non- U.S. General Healthcare Settings
Laboratory Testingplus icon
Specimen Collection, Transport, and Submission
Packing and Shipping Specimens
Managing and Testing Routine Clinical Specimens
Non-CDC Resources
Health Departments and Plannersplus icon
Guide for Monitoring a Returned Traveler
Case Reporting Recommendations
Top 10 Ebola Response Planning Tips
Hospital Preparednessplus icon
Preparing Frontline Healthcare Facilities
Preparing Ebola Assessment Hospitals
Preparing Ebola Treatment Centers
Cleaning and Decontaminationplus icon
Guidance for Decontamination and Removal of Ebolavirus-Contaminated Waste for U.S. Residence
Guidance for Handling Untreated Sewage
FAQs: Guidance for Managers and Workers Handling Untreated Sewage from Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Ebola Disease in the U.S.
Guidance for Cleaning, Disinfection, and Waste Disposal in Commercial Passenger Aircraft
Resourcesplus icon
Communication Materialsplus icon
Videos and Audio
Posters and Factsheets
Media Archive
Training


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue