- Symptoms of Cholera
- How the transmission happens
- How to prevent
- How the treatment is done
- Signs of improvement and worsening
Cholera is an infectious disease that can be acquired through the consumption of water and food contaminated by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. This type of infection is more common and causes outbreaks more easily in places that do not have piped water or with inadequate basic sanitation, where there is no garbage collection or open sewage, for example.
Although it does not always cause symptoms, some infected people can develop a more severe condition, which depends on the amount of bacteria ingested and the health status of the infected person, which can manifest itself from mild diarrhea to severe and potentially fatal diarrhea.
Symptoms of Cholera
In some cases, cholera may be asymptomatic or take 2 to 5 days after contact with contaminated water or food for the first symptoms to appear, the main ones being:
- Intense diarrhea, more than once an hour, which arises because the toxins of the bacteria cause the cells lining the intestine to produce a large amount of fluids; Liquid white stools, similar to milk or rice water; Constant nausea and vomiting; Absence of urine production; Excessive tiredness and weakness; Dehydration, with excess of thirst, and dry mouth and skin; Increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure.
It is important that cholera is identified and treated quickly to prevent complications from occurring, such as severe dehydration, renal necrosis, hypoglycemia and hypovolemic shock, which can result in death in less than 24 hours, for example.
The bacteria remains in the feces for 7 to 14 days, and can be a means of contamination for other people, especially when you don't wash your hands after going to the bathroom, for example. So it is important to continue the treatment as directed by the doctor even if the symptoms are no longer present.
How the transmission happens
The person can be contaminated by drinking water or food contaminated with the bacteria, since it is eliminated through vomiting and diarrhea, and can be easily spread. Thus, it is common for the infection to be transmitted between people who live in the same environment, such as residents of the same house or people who attend the same school and workplace, for example.
In addition, the consumption of contaminated freshwater fish and crustaceans or seawater can also cause the disease, because the bacteria is part of the aquatic environment. Contaminated rivers, dams and ponds can cause an epidemic in certain regions and, therefore, it is important to only drink filtered or boiled water.
Since the bacteria present in the feces multiplies easily between 5 and 40ºC, and is also resistant to freezing, cholera epidemics are common in overcrowded population areas, with poor hygiene conditions and lack of basic sanitation.
How to prevent
Vibrio cholerae, which is the infectious agent of the disease , can not withstand temperatures above 80ºC, so to prevent cholera it is recommended to drink filtered water, boil tap water before ingesting it, as well as consuming prepared and served hot foods, avoiding raw foods like salads or sushi.
When preparing food, it is important to wash your hands and pay attention to food, especially fruits that have a thin skin, which should be soaked in water with a little chlorine to be disinfected. In addition to washing your hands before preparing food, it is recommended to wash your hands with soap and water whenever you use the bathroom and whenever you are vomiting and diarrhea. In this way it is possible to prevent the transmission of the bacteria.
These prevention strategies should be used especially in regions without basic sanitation, with an over-population or that have suffered a natural disaster, for example.
In addition to preventive measures, another way to prevent cholera is through vaccination, which is available in countries that are at high risk of cholera and for travelers or workers who will go to endemic regions. Find out all about the cholera vaccine.
How the treatment is done
There is no need for any special treatment for cholera, it is only recommended to keep the fluid or serum intake to avoid dehydration caused by severe diarrhea. Oral rehydration serum, bought in pharmacies, or homemade serum, are also interesting to prevent and treat dehydration, replacing the amount of fluids and minerals that are lost in diarrhea and vomiting.
The use of drugs to stop diarrhea and vomiting is not recommended, as it can prevent toxins produced by microorganisms from being eliminated. However, if symptoms arise that may be uncomfortable for the person, the doctor may recommend the use of remedies for seasickness, pain and to replace the intestinal microbiota.
In the most severe cases, when dehydration causes symptoms such as dizziness or extreme tiredness, it may be necessary to be admitted to the hospital to make serum directly into the vein and assess vital signs. In addition, although antibiotics are not necessary to eliminate cholera, the doctor may recommend in more severe cases, especially when severe bloody diarrhea is observed, the use of Sulfametoxazol-Trimethoprim, Doxycycline or Azithromycin in order to reduce the transmission of bacterium.
Signs of improvement and worsening
The main signs of improvement in cholera are decreased vomiting and diarrhea, in addition to improved color and decreased weakness. Already signs of worsening are pallor, weight loss, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, in addition to fast heartbeat, cramps and seizures. If these symptoms are present, the person must be kept in the hospital to receive the appropriate treatment.
In addition, when severe, cholera can cause dehydration in a few hours and this complication can lead to kidney damage, bowel changes, cardiac arrhythmia, low blood pressure and cardiac collapse.
