Cholera causes symptoms prevention & treatment | HealthStub

what is cholera?

An infectious disease, cholera, causes severe water-born diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Cholera is caused by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with a bacteria called Vibirio Cholera. The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation, overcrowding, war and famine. However, cholera is not contagious, it takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a person to show symptoms after ingesting contaminated food or water. Cholera bacteria can enter the body through contaminated water or food due to poor hygiene and sanitation. This means that consuming food and liquids from street vendors can be more dangerous than you think. Cholera bacteria can also enter your system through the consumption of seafood, especially shellfish like crabs and oysters. Poorly cleaned vegetables and irrigated in contaminated water are a major cause of the spread of this deadly epidemic. Cholera causes muscle cramps and vomiting. Patients may also become tired with sunken eyes, dry mouth and wrinkled eyes and feet. Cholera can be fatal if left untreated, causing severe dehydration. It can also happen to a perfectly healthy person. This is most common in children and infants. It can be treated with an inexpensive rehydration solution.The most important and effective method of treatment is ORS, oral hydration solution, as dehydration can lead to loss of vitamins and minerals from the body. This is also known as oral hydration therapy. Along with this, electrolyte imbalance is another major concern that leads to muscle cramps and shock in the body. Leg cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the common symptoms to look out for when traveling to countries with risk of stress. '' be prone to cholera due to hygiene problems.

Cholera causes

Cholera is caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholera, which is usually found in water or food contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

 Some common sources of Vibrio cholera include:

- Poor environmental management

- Contaminated municipal water

- Inadequate sanitation systems

- Vegetables grown in or with infected water

Presence of cholera bacteria in the environment

Cholera bacteria occur mainly in coastal areas, where they are attached to tiny crustaceans called copepods. The bacteria travel with their host and spread the infection. As the water temperature rises, certain types of algae also thrive in the infected water. This algae growth is further encouraged by urea present in agricultural runoff and wastewater.

Presence of cholera bacteria in humans

Ingestion of cholera bacteria not only makes a person sick, but the infected person can also pass the bacteria through their stool. Under unsanitary circumstances, this can contaminate food and water supplies and can serve as a breeding ground for cholera bacteria.

The most common sources of cholera infection are stagnant bodies of water and certain types of food, including seafood, raw fruits and vegetables, and even grains.

People living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without sanitation facilities are at greater risk of cholera.

Seafood

Eating undercooked or raw seafood, especially shellfish, can also increase the chances of being affected by cholera. This usually happens when seafood comes from certain places exposed to cholera bacteria.

Raw fruits and vegetables

Raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables are also a common source of cholera infection in areas where cholera is endemic.

Cholera symptoms

It has been reported that about 80% of people infected with V.cholerae do not develop any symptoms despite the presence of the bacteria in their stool for up to 10 days, says the WHO. When their faeces are released into the environment, they can infect other people.

Of those who show symptoms, they can start as early as a few hours after infection or can last up to five days. 

Symptoms can be mild or very severe :

- Diarrhea and vomiting, often with a fishy smell

- Increased heart rate

- Loss of skin elasticity

- The color of the skin may turn bluish due to excessive fluid loss

- Sunken eyes

- Crumpled hands

- Dry mucous membranes, in the mouth, throat, nose and eyelids

- Drop in blood pressure

- The thirst

- Muscle cramps

- Decreased frequency of urination

- Convulsions or even coma, especially in children

Cholera preventions

Up to 80% of the cholera cases are easily treatable with prompt administration of oral rehydration salts. More severe cases require administration of intravenous fluids with an appropriate dosage of antibiotics to reduce the duration of cholera and its symptoms. If proper treatment is given, the case fatality rate is expected to remain below 1%, says WHO.

There is also a cholera vaccine, but it is not generally recommended by the CDC and WHO. This is because it may not protect up to half of the people who receive it and it does not last more than few months.

The following can be observed in order to prevent the disease:

- Use of purified water / chemically disinfected porridge for drinking, cooking and washing

- Avoid consuming unpeeled fruits and vegetables

- Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products

- Avoid undercooked seafood

Myths about cholera

MYTH: Only an infected person can cause cholera.

FACT: A person living in unsanitary conditions is prone to cholera. It also spreads in an unclean environment. When you are with someone with cholera, be extra careful. Most of the time, people with high immunity can fight off the disease.

MYTH: There is a rare chance that cholera will turn fatal.

FACT: Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease which, if not treated in a timely manner, can lead to death.

MYTH: Oral rehydration solution is not as effective in curing cholera.

FACT: According to the WHO, up to 80% of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS).

MYTH: Cholera cannot be prevented.

FACT: Cholera can be prevented by staying clean and maintaining hygienic conditions.

MYTH: Cholera has symptoms in the initial stages.

FACT: About 75% of people infected with cholera have no symptoms.

Cholera treatment

Patients with cholera need prompt assistance and effective treatment plans. With treatment, the number of deaths drops to less than 1%. As the most common symptom detected is diarrhea, the treatment plan is to improve digestion and take care of the bowel.

The first treatment involved rehydration. This is done to ensure that the body is replenished with all the nutrients and vitamins that are depleted. Increasing water intake, taking immunity boosting supplements, and drinks rich in flavonoids help recharge the body. ORs (oral rehydration salts) also fill the body with salts and electrolytes. They can also reduce the length of time the disease strikes the body.

Patients are also prescribed antibiotics to meet fluid requirements and remove remaining toxins and germs from the body. In the case of small children, zinc treatment also shows effective results.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for further details.