Supporting survivors

A few days after the symptoms disappear, the patient is no longer infectious, although the virus can remain in semen several weeks after recovery. Ebola survivors should therefore use condoms for at least three months after their symptoms have cleared up.

Ebola survivors’ blood contains antibodies that protect them against reinfection with the virus and could also be used to help patients with the virus.

There is no need to avoid or ostracize Ebola survivors. They need support. They have suffered severe illness; many of them have lost family members to the virus. Society should help them as much as possible, not make their plight even worse.