CHOLERA
THE AUTHOR: Dr L Decker
Franklyn Medical Services usually without pain or colic.
2. Do you have nausea or vomiting? Fluid gushes effortlessly from the bowel and the stomach and vomiting will also be a significant cause of fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance. Vomiting usually stops once patient is rehydrated.
Cholera is a severe acute gastrointestinal infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae( V. Cholerae). The bacterium is found in contaminated food and water and also in stools and vomit of patients with cholera. One in 10 infected people may show signs. It is not unusual though to have individuals without symptoms( asymptomatic individuals) shedding bacteria in their stool for about a week to 14 days after infection, putting others at risk.
V Cholerae can survive up to 2 weeks in fresh water and 8 weeks in salt water. This fact should let us rethink washing our vegetables in brine since this process may not completely kill off all bacteria. Cooking foods thoroughly and eating food while still hot may be the best way to safeguard your meals.
Not all diarrheal diseases are the same, so the next time you get diarrhea and think you have food poisoning, think again.
WHO IS AT RISK
Everyone who drinks or eats food that has not been treated to eliminate V. Cholerae is at risk, but you are more at risk if you are malnourished or immune compromised. Children under 5 years of age are more susceptible than older children
HOW DO I KNOW I HAVE CHOLERA?
There are a few questions that you could ask yourself when you get diarrhea.
1. Do you have a rice- water stools? Cholera gives a signature diarrhea referred to as rice- water stools. The stools are watery with a mild, fishy smell, clear fluid with flecks of mucus – and that is why I guess it found the name‘ rice water’ stools. It has also been described by some public health authorities as having the appearance of water in which rice has been washed – watery, pale, milky in appearance. The diarrhea may start a few hours to 5 days after getting infected. It is severe and
3. Do you have sunken eyes, extreme thirst, cold clammy skin, wrinkled skin, muscular cramps, low blood pressure, low urine output, imperceptible pulse? Dehydration is significant and sudden in onset with cholera related diarrhea and is a significant cause of mortality. Dehydration could set in within the first few hours of onset of symptoms.
4. A fever is rare and usually only occurs in children
HOW DO I GET CHOLERA?
V. Cholerae bacterium infects the small bowel producing a toxin that gives rise to symptoms You can get cholera from drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food especially poorly preserved and cooked seafood. So when eating out, it’ s better to stay away from cold salads and foods and stick to hot cooked meals. Also try and have your cold drinks without ice even when your restaurant appears to be serving bottled water- as the source of the bar ice could be different.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED
During a cholera epidemic, clinical diagnosis is usually easy, mainly because healthcare professionals are on the‘ alert’ for symptoms. A stool culture or rectal swab is used to isolate the bacterium and confirm diagnosis.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN I FIRST NOTICE
SYMPTOMS? Dehydration caused by cholera can be extreme and life threatening. As soon as diarrhea starts, it is important to start with rehydration. Because you are losing water and electrolytes in your stool and vomit, drinking water alone is never enough. 1. Pre packed oral rehydration salts( ORS / Dextrolyte) are readily available in most Pharmacies / Chemists across the country. These are ready to mix with 600ml of clean water. Drink as often as you can, whilst you have diarrhea, especially after every
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