Cholera

Cholera is a disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. These bacteria infect the small intestines and can be fatal for an otherwise healthy person in mere hours if not diagnosed and treated. Following infection with the virus, symptoms can take anywhere between two hours and five days to appear. In contrast to many other communicable diseases, this short period of time between contraction and the progression of symptoms makes cholera outbreaks extremely hard to manage. Many developing countries still struggle to control cases to ensure that they do not become widespread epidemics.

Symptoms

The main symptom of cholera is watery diarrhea that has been described as having the appearance of rice water. It is the amount of diarrhea that can rapidly lead to death if a proper diagnosis is not given immediately, as it quickly results in severe dehydration. Diarrhea is usually the first sign of an infection. According to the World Health Organization, most people who contract cholera do not actually show symptoms although the bacteria is still present in their fecal matter. However, of those that do, between eight and nine people out of ten show symptoms that are only mild or moderately severe.

Other symptoms of cholera can include: abdominal cramps, dry mouth and skin, thirst, sunken eyes, extreme fatigue or sleepiness, vomiting, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, and nausea.

Causes

As mentioned, cholera is caused by a particular strain of bacteria that can be found in feces. The bacteria is transported in part due to poor hygiene, sanitation, or water quality. Once water-borne, it can easily be consumed through water or food sources.

Once in the body, the Vibrio cholerae bacteria quickly promote the release of a chemical that causes the cells of the intestinal lining to secrete water. This causes diarrhea and when left untreated, results in dehydration.

Cholera typically occurs in developing continents, including Africa, Southeast Asia and South Asia, Central America, and South America. When conditions are exacerbated by war, famine, overcrowding, cholera outbreaks are common. Having an extremely young, old, or undernourished population are all risk factors for an outbreak.

Prevention

Cholera has successfully been prevented in most developed countries thanks to several key initiatives. Sanitary water treatment facilities clean waste water so that it can be reused and establishments that prepare food, such as restaurants, must adhere to certain health standards. In many countries, the promotion of hygienic behaviors including hand-washing, goes a long way in helping to prevent the spread of cholera. For developing countries, establishing these practices and facilities is the next step in long-term prevention of this disease.

If you are traveling to a country that has a history of cholera outbreaks, it is important to take steps to lower the risk of contracting the disease. Hand washing is the first step and always drinking bottled or treated water as opposed to tap water. You should also clean vegetables or other produce with treated water before eating or to be on the safe side, stick to produce that has a peel or well-cooked food. It is also a good idea to avoid, if possible, areas where there has been a cholera outbreak.

Treatment

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the treatment for cholera is through rehydration. It is reported that 80% of all cholera cases are treatable. A cholera infection will pass on its own if dehydration can be managed effectively. For this, doctors recommend oral rehydration salts which are added to fluids and consumed every couple of hours. They provide electrolytes and sugar to maintain the body’s fluid levels and stabilize potassium levels. Taking in a lot of fluids is of the utmost importance in treating cholera. In severe cases, antibiotics are prescribed to increase fluid retention and quicken recovery time, along with an intravenous (IV) to increase fluid intake. If you suspect you have cholera you should contact an emergency center immediately.