Cholera is a disease caused by a bacterium, Vibrio cholerae that is spreads through contaminated water. Cholera is characterized by severe diarrhea which may result in dehydration. Even if a person is healthy, if left untreated, this infection can become lethal in just a few hours.
Cholera can be easily treated with rehydration solution in order to prevent death from severe conditions.
Signs and symptoms
People, who have been exposed to the bacterium which causes cholera, do not become ill and therefore, are unable to notice that they have been infected. However, these people release the bacteria in their stool for 7-14 days, which contaminates water and infects others as well. Usually cholera causes diarrhea, which cannot be differentiated with other causes of the problem.
Common symptoms of cholera may include:
- Diarrhea. This occurs suddenly and leads to rapid fluid loss and diarrhea. The diarrhea usually has a milky, pale appears and is therefore, also known as rice water stool.
- Nausea and vomiting. This can occur in the earlier and later stages.
- Dehydration. This can occur within hours of the occurrence of the symptoms of cholera. Depending on the extent of fluid loss, dehydration can be mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of dehydration associated with cholera include irritability, sunken eyes, lethargy, dry mouth, dry skin that does not quickly bounce back when it is pinched, extreme thirst, low blood pressure, little or no urination, and irregular heartbeat.
Dehydration may result in loss in electrolytes or minerals in the bloodstream that regulate the fluids in your body. Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance may include:
- Muscle cramps
- Shock
Symptoms of cholera in affected children may include:
- Fever
- Extreme sleepiness
- Coma
- Convulsions
When to seek medical attention
See your doctor if you have severe diarrhea or if you suspect that you are suffering from cholera as treatment is necessary as soon as possible before the condition worsens. Severe dehydration is a cause of alarm and is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment despite the cause.
Treatment
It is important that you receive immediate medical treatment because cholera can cause death within just a few hours.
Treatment options for cholera include:
- Rehydration. This will replace the fluids that are lost through diarrhea to restore the electrolyte balance. Oral rehydration salts or ORS can be mixed with boiled water to rehydrate the body.
- Intravenous fluids. Severe dehydration may require the administration of intravenous fluids
- Antibiotics. This is not a necessary form of treatment, however, this may reduce the duration and amount of diarrhea.
- Zinc supplements. According to research, zinc may shorten the duration and decrease diarrhea in young children.
Prevention
If you are traveling to areas where cholera is common, follow these preventive steps to protect yourself from exposure to the bacteria:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds – especially before handing food and after using the toilet. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, if soap and water are not readily available.
- Drink safe water only such as bottled water or what that you have boiled and disinfected. Use bottled water for most purposes such as brushing. Canned or bottles beverages and hot drinks are usually safe, but it is ideal that you clean the mouth of the bottle before opening them.
- Avoid raw foods and eat food that is completely cooked and hot. Avoid street vendor food, sushi or other improperly cooked seafood or meat. If you have to buy food from a street vendor, make sure that the food is cooked in front of you and served hot.
- Consume fruits and vegetables that can be peeled by you such as oranges, bananas and avocadoes. Avoid foods that do not have to be peeled such as apples, berries and grapes.
Try to avoid dairy such as ice creams as they may be made of unpasteurized milk.