[TallGuyShort]

There is little to no health care that can make a difference to a person already infected with Ebola, AFAIK, IANAD. Quarantine is the best thing you can do to prevent it getting further.

[maxerickson]

Supportive care makes a difference. It isn't a cure, but preventing dehydration at least means the infected person doesn't die of dehydration.

[crpatino]

Exactly! 70% mortality if disease is let to follow its course, 30-40% if supportive care is provided.

I don't know guys. But anything that doubles my survival rate sounds like a big difference to me.

[TallGuyShort]

Back to the original point, though, a 30-40% fatality rate is still not at the point that I would consider health care alone an effective response.

[crpatino]

Why not? Because is not perfect? Such is life. And still, I am sure those people that have received proper care and survived are grateful enough.

Or are you arguing that additional measures are needed both at the individual and at the social/political level to prevent the worst outcomes. There I agree 100%.

[TallGuyShort]

Yes that's exactly what I'm arguing. The commenter to whom I replied initially was arguing against the need for other measures stating that "THE" solution was healthcare.

[maxerickson]

I didn't mean to kick off an argument, I just think it is useful to keep things clear. You have a good point about healthcare alone not solving the problem.