This serious intestinal infection can kill within hours if not treated
Photo Credits: CBC.ca, Britannica
Name
Cholera
Transmission
- An infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae
- The bacteria enter the body when people eat food or drink water contaminated with the bacteria
- Though possible, the disease usually does not spread from having casual contact with an infected person
Geography
Worldwide, especially Africa, Southeast Asia, and Haiti
Incubation Period
Less than 1 day – 5 days
Signs and Symptoms
- Severe, watery, painless diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Severe dehydration
- Leg cramps
- Rapid heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Thirst
- Kidney failure (severe)
- Coma (severe)
Approximately 80% of infected people do not have symptoms, but the bacteria live in their feces for 1-10 days after infection, leaving the potential to infect other people if exposed within a shared environment.
Among those who develop symptoms, 80% are mild or moderate symptoms, and 20% have serious symptoms (severe watery diarrhoea, severe dehydration) which can lead to death without treatment.
Diagnosis
- Laboratory testing of stool/feces to detect the presence of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria
- There is also a new rapid diagnostic test under review which allows testing at the patient’s bedside
Treatment
- Prompt administration of oral rehydration salts (a mixture of sugar and salt in water that the patient must drink)
- Severely dehydrated patients usually require antibiotics and intravenous fluids
Prognosis
- Cholera is an extremely severe disease that can kill people within hours of ingesting the bacteria
- With treatment, the fatality rate can be less than 1% of all cases
Prevention: What Can You Do?
- Ensure access to safe, clean drinking water (drink bottled or chemically treated or boiled water)
- Ensure adequate sanitation (feces should be disposed of properly to prevent contamination)
- Cook food well and serve it hot, peel fruits and vegetables
- Maintain good hygiene and wash your hands
- There are two oral cholera vaccines but they are mostly used in areas where the disease is endemic
- There is also an injection form of the vaccine (available in some countries) but it only provides 25-50% protection
Cholera In the News
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/cholera/index.html
http://www.who.int/topics/cholera/en/