Cholera

Cholera is a serious, and sometimes deadly, infection if not managed rapidly, despite the fact that it’s easily treated and it’s cured easily if the treatment starts as quickly as possible.

Cholera

Cholera is a bacterial infection that occurs in the intestines and causes severe diarrhea that could be fatal in some cases. Cholera is often spread in places where water is contaminated with these bacteria.

Cholera is common worldwide, yet currently it’s restricted in certain areas due to the sanitization procedures that developed countries have done.

Causes of cholera

• Cholera occurs due to bacteria called Vibrio cholera, which mainly transmit through tainted water. The infected person stays contagious even without showing any symptoms because the bacteria that cause cholera transmit through the stool.
• The bacteria of cholera transmit through contaminated water, contaminated food, eating raw seafood and especially shellfish, and eating raw vegetables and fruit that aren’t well cleaned.
• The risk of cholera increases in people who live in areas in which sanitization isn’t good enough, people who have decreased stomach acid (the stomach acid is an important defense barrier), and people with O blood type.

Symptoms of cholera

• The main symptom of cholera is severe watery diarrhea, which starts suddenly and it’s pale colored with mucus and a fishy smell. This diarrhea leads to dehydration, if not managed quickly, within hours.
• Persistent vomiting.
• Stomach upset.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Dehydration, if it isn’t managed, could cause heart rhythm problems, hypovolemic shock, and organ failure.
• Many people could have cholera without showing any symptoms.

Diagnosis of cholera

• Diagnosing cholera is usually obvious from the symptoms and it’s confirmed through a stool sample test.

Treatment of cholera

• Cholera is mainly treated by replacing the lost fluids through drinking or intravenously.
• Antibiotics.
• Zinc supplements were observed to be beneficial in relieving the symptoms.

Prevention of cholera

• Practicing good hygiene and washing the hands continuously.
• Don’t drink water from unknown places.
• Avoid raw seafood.
• Clean raw fruit and vegetables well before eating them.
• There is a cholera vaccine that’s given in case you’re going to places where it’s spread.