Cholera symptoms and prevention

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine because the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera bacteria produce toxins that cause the small intestine releases large amounts of fluids that contain lots of salt and minerals. Because the bacteria are sensitive to gastric acid, gastric acid deficiency then the patient is likely to suffer from this disease.

Cholera spreads through drinking water, seafood or other foods contaminated by feces of infected people. Cholera found in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In these areas, outbreaks usually occur during summer and a lot of attacking children. In other areas, outbreaks can occur in any season and all ages can be affected.


CAUSE
Bacterium Vibrio cholerae.


SYMPTOMS
Symptoms begin within 1-3 days after infection with the bacteria, varied-ranging from mild diarrhea to severe diarrhea without complications, which can be fatal. Some people who are infected show no symptoms. The disease usually begins with watery diarrhea such as water that occurs suddenly, without pain and vomiting. In severe cases, diarrhea causes loss of fluid to 1 liter in 1 hour. Loss of fluids and salts which cause excessive dehydration accompanied by great thirst, muscle cramps, weakness and decreased urine production.

The amount of fluid lost from the tissue causes the eyes become sunken and the skin of the fingers becomes wrinkled. If untreated, an imbalance of blood volume and increased concentration of salt can cause kidney failure, shock and coma. Symptoms usually disappear within 3-6 days. Most people will be free of this organism within 2 weeks, but some of the patients become carriers of this bacterium.


Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, examination of rectal swabs or fresh stool sample.


TREATMENT
What is important is to immediately replace lost fluids, salt and minerals from the body. For patients who experience severe dehydration, fluids given intravenously. In outbreak areas, sometimes given fluids through a tube inserted through the nose to the stomach. When dehydration has been resolved, the next goal of treatment is to replace the fluids lost through diarrhea and vomiting. Solid foods can be given after the vomiting stops and appetite had returned.

Initial treatment with tetracycline or other antibiotics can kill bacteria and usually will stop the diarrhea within 48 hours. More than 50% of patients with untreated severe cholera died. Less than 1% of patients who received adequate fluid replacement, died.


PREVENTION
Purification of water and excreta disposal reserves that meet the standards are very important in preventing the occurrence of cholera. Another effort is to drink water that has been first cooked vegetables and avoid raw or cooked fish and shellfish is not until cooked. Cholera vaccine provides only partial protection and is generally not recommended.

Tetracycline antibiotics can help prevent disease in people who share the same home furnishings with a person infected with cholera.