What is Cholera?

Acute diarrheal illness known as cholera is brought on by consuming food or water tainted with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. This disease is a worldwide threat to public health, with almost 1.3 to 1.4 million cases and 21000 to 143000 deaths recorded each year. It is a severe disease that can lead to severe dehydration and acute watery diarrhea. 

It can take anywhere between 12 hours to 5 days for cholera disease symptoms to appear after consuming contaminated food products. It can affect anyone, including children. It is passed through feces or by drinking contaminated food or water by the infected person’s feces. That is why it happens mostly in underdeveloped countries lacking sanitation. The chances of getting transferred from one person to another are scarce.

Symptoms of Cholera

Most people infected with Vibrio cholerae bacteria will not show any cholera symptoms. This is even after the bacteria is in their feces 1-10 days post-infection. This means that the bacteria is spreading and potentially affecting more people. Besides dehydration and diarrhea, other symptoms can include muscle cramps and vomiting.

Severe cases of diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance may experience cold skin, sunken eyes, wrinkling in hands and feet, and decreased skin elasticity. Severe dehydration can even lead to skin turning blue.

How to Diagnose Cholera?

While severe cases might have apparent signs and symptoms in locations where the disease is endemic, identifying the germs in a stool sample is the only method to confirm its diagnosis. Doctors in distant places can quickly confirm this disease’s diagnosis with the help of rapid dipstick testing.  

Early public health efforts for outbreak control are facilitated by prompt confirmation, which lowers death rates during the early stages of epidemics.

What is Cholera Treatment?

The treatment depends on the symptoms of the individual. For mild or no symptoms, doctors may only prescribe oral rehydration solutions. You may be asked to take antibiotics and intravenous fluids if the condition is severe. However, remember if it is untreated, it can be fatal even for a healthy person.

How to Prevent Cholera?

This disease is often predictable and even preventable. It can be eradicated in areas where everyone has sustained and guaranteed access to clean water, sanitary facilities, and appropriate hygiene habits. 

In locations known to be at high risk, oral cholera vaccinations should be used in combination with improvements in water and sanitation to manage outbreaks and prevent cholera sickness. Here are a few tips for people who are traveling to places known to be the hub of this disease to prevent themselves:

  • Drink boiled water or one that is treated with iodine or chlorine.
  • You can drink beverages like tea and coffee made with boiling water and carbonated. You can also drink bottled water without ice.
  • Eat properly cooked and hot food or fruits that you have peeled yourself.
  • Do not eat undercooked shellfish or raw fish. Avoid salads and ensure all vegetables are cooked.
  • Do not drink or eat anything from street vendors.
Read More: The Silent Fever – Typhoid

Final Thoughts

Speak to a healthcare professional right now if you have severe diarrhea caused by cholera or another illness. To prevent dehydration, you must replenish fluids and electrolytes. This complication may result in fatalities or other severe health issues. Therefore, one must not take this illness’s symptoms lightly. This goes especially for everyone who has been to a place known to be its hub.