Name: Vibrio cholera
First discovered: Year 1854
Signs and symptoms:
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholera and is spread by ingestion of contaminated food or water. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Approximately one in ten (5-10%) of infected persons will have severe cholera which in the early stages includes:
Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhoea. Patients can be treated with oral rehydration solution, a pre-packaged mixture of sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in large amounts. This solution is used throughout the world to treat diarrhoea. Severe cases also require intravenous fluid replacement. With prompt rehydration, fewer than 1% of cholera patients die. Antibiotics shorten the course and diminish the severity of the illness, but they are not as important as receiving rehydration. Persons who develop severe diarrhoea and vomiting in countries where cholera occurs should seek medical attention promptly.
Causes:
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera. These bacteria release a toxin that causes an increased amount of water to be released from cells that line the intestines. The increase in water produces severe diarrhoea.
People get the infection from eating or drinking food or water containing the cholera germ. Living in or traveling to areas where there is cholera raises the risk of getting it.
Cholera occurs in places with a lack of water treatment or sewage treatment, crowding, war, and famine. Common locations for cholera include:
The goal of treatment is to replace fluid and salts that are lost through diarrhoea. Diarrhoea and fluid loss can be fast and extreme. It can be hard to replace lost fluids. Depending on your condition, you may be given fluids by mouth or through a vein (intravenous, or IV). Antibiotics may shorten the time you feel ill. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a solution that helps restore fluids. It is cheaper and easier to use than the typical IV fluid. This solution is now being used around the world.
Fatality rate: 50%
First discovered: Year 1854
Signs and symptoms:
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholera and is spread by ingestion of contaminated food or water. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Approximately one in ten (5-10%) of infected persons will have severe cholera which in the early stages includes:
- profuse watery diarrhoea, sometimes described as “rice-water stools,”
- vomiting
- rapid heart rate
- loss of skin elasticity
- dry mucous membranes
- low blood pressure
- thirst
- muscle cramps
- restlessness or irritability
Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhoea. Patients can be treated with oral rehydration solution, a pre-packaged mixture of sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in large amounts. This solution is used throughout the world to treat diarrhoea. Severe cases also require intravenous fluid replacement. With prompt rehydration, fewer than 1% of cholera patients die. Antibiotics shorten the course and diminish the severity of the illness, but they are not as important as receiving rehydration. Persons who develop severe diarrhoea and vomiting in countries where cholera occurs should seek medical attention promptly.
Causes:
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera. These bacteria release a toxin that causes an increased amount of water to be released from cells that line the intestines. The increase in water produces severe diarrhoea.
People get the infection from eating or drinking food or water containing the cholera germ. Living in or traveling to areas where there is cholera raises the risk of getting it.
Cholera occurs in places with a lack of water treatment or sewage treatment, crowding, war, and famine. Common locations for cholera include:
- Africa
- Asia
- India
- Mexico
- South and Central America
- Drink and use save water.
- Wash your hands often with soap and safe water.
- Use latrines or bury your faeces (poop); do not defecate in any body of water collapsed.
- Cook food well (especially seafood), keep it covered, eat it hot, and peel fruits and vegetables.
- Those who are travelling to the places where cholera is pandemic should get the vaccine. Travellers should always be careful when eating food and drinking water, even if they are vaccinated.
The goal of treatment is to replace fluid and salts that are lost through diarrhoea. Diarrhoea and fluid loss can be fast and extreme. It can be hard to replace lost fluids. Depending on your condition, you may be given fluids by mouth or through a vein (intravenous, or IV). Antibiotics may shorten the time you feel ill. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a solution that helps restore fluids. It is cheaper and easier to use than the typical IV fluid. This solution is now being used around the world.
Fatality rate: 50%