Cholera - Picture, symptom, Treatment of Cholera

Cholera Information

Cholera is a grave diarrheal illness that can result in severe dehydration, collapse, shock and result in death within a few hours. Cholera is caused by the organism vibrio cholerate. Cholera is spread by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with cholera bacteria. The main symptom is watery diarrhoea which leads to fluid depletion and death from dehydration. It has been a killer disease in Asia for over 1,000 years but the first of a series of seven pandemics arrived in Europe in 1817. Anyone can get cholera, but infants, children, and the elderly are more likely to die from the disease because they become dehydrated faster than adults. The great irony is that unlike many infectious diseases, cholera is easily treated. Death results from severe dehydration, which can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution. Most cases of cholera are mild, but about one in 20 patients experience severe, potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Cholera occurs more frequently during the warmer month and is most prevalent among lower socioeconomic groups. In India, it's common among children's of ages 1 - 5 years, but in other endemic areas, it's equally distributed among all age groups.

Sign and Symptoms of Cholera

• Sudden onset painless watery diarrhea
• after a few bouts the diarrhea increases in volume
• vomiting sets in
• the frequency and volume of the diarrhea which is mainly water and flecks of mucus causes severe dehydration.
• collapse can set in within hours.

Causes of Cholera

Cholera is caused by the organism vibrio cholerate. vibrio cholerate is found in shallow coastal watres, alongwith plankton. Human infection occurs through contaminated water and fish, especially shellfish. Transmission is fecal-oral.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Cure of Cholera

No tests are necessary for Cholera. Stool tests are always asked for but treatment of Cholera does not depend on them. A culture of V. cholerae from feces or vomitus indicates cholera; however, definitive diagnosis requires agglutination and other clear reactions to group- and type-specific antisera.

Even with prompt diagnosis and treatment, cholera can lead to fatal results in upto 2% of children and in adults - fatal rare is reduced to 1%. However, untreated cholera may be fatal in as many as 50% of patients. Cholera infection confers only transient immunity. Better hygiene. Vaccination has been practised, but is of no great use. Oral Cholera vaccine is under development. If antibiotics are overused, the cholera bacteria organism may become resistant to the drug, making the antibiotic ineffective in treating even severe cases of cholera. Tetracycline is not given to children whose permanent teeth have not come in because it can cause the teeth to become permanently discolored.

Some Prevention Tips against Cholera

A cholera patient requires enteric precautions, supportive care, and close observation during the acute phase.

1) Advise anyone traveling to an endemic area to boil all drinking water and avoid eating uncooked vegetables and unpeeled fruits. If the doctor orders a cholera vaccine, tell the patient that he'll need a booster 3 to 6 months later for continuing protection.

2) Wear a gown and gloves when handling feces-contaminated articles or when a danger of contaminating clothing exists, and wash your hands after leaving the patient's room.

3) Protect the patient's family by administering oral tetracycline, if ordered.

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