Cholera 101: What You Need To Know

Although eradicated in the United States, cholera is a very serious disease that affects millions of individuals in the developing world who have limited or even no access to safe and clean drinking water. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and vomiting and can be fatal if not treated. It is rampant throughout areas of the world where clean water is not readily accessible, with approximately 150,000 individuals suffering from cholera every year, according to the World Health Organization. Find out now what causes cholera, symptoms to watch for, and how to properly treat this bacterial disease.

What Is Cholera?

Cholera is characterized as a bacterial infection resulting from unsanitary water not safe for consumption. Specifically, the disease is caused by a strain of bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, which is classified as a highly infectious disease transmitted through unsanitary water. Although it is not common in many first world countries, remains a rampant problem in many developing countries.

In certain countries in the developing world, it is highly unsafe to drink tap water without boiling it first, as drinking tainted water can lead to numerous health problems including cholera. Cholera attacks the small intestine and causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, and like many diseases that attack the intestinal system, the real danger of cholera lies in the afflicted becoming dehydrated and ill. Individuals who believe they might have cholera or have been exposed to cholera should seek medical help immediately.

Next, learn the signs and symptoms associated with cholera.

Signs And Symptoms

A patient may experience the signs and symptoms of cholera immediately after being infected, though visible signs can take several days to appear. Initially, many of the common symptoms of cholera may be mild and appear as symptoms of food poisoning, but quite a few individuals may still experience the more severe effects of cholera, such as diarrhea and vomiting. If these severe symptoms are not treated promptly, they can lead to fatal dehydration.

Some of the most common symptoms of cholera include intense thirst, severe muscle cramps, steadily decreasing blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, loss of skin elasticity, and a dry mouth, nose, and throat. If a patient is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should seek medical treatment immediately, as they are suffering from dehydration.

Keep reading to discover the surprising causes of cholera.

What Causes Cholera?

Cholera is a direct result of unhealthy sanitation practices and poor quality water. In places where water can be contaminated by fecal matter, cholera is highly prevalent. If water is not boiled or otherwise sanitized, individuals living in the area are at risk for contracting cholera. As sanitation and infrastructure improve in the developing world, the risk for communities contracting cholera will decrease.

Whenever visiting a country dealing with a cholera outbreak, travelers should be advised not to drink or brush their teeth with water from the tap. Due to overcrowding, communities experiencing cramped living conditions tend to experience cholera epidemics, where it can easily spread due to these unsanitary living conditions, or when there is a disruption in their water system.

Continue reading to discover how to effectively treat and prevent the spread of cholera.

Treatment And Prevention

Thankfully, there is a cholera vaccination for individuals who are at risk of contracting the bacterial disease. However, it has proven to be ineffective in about fifty percent of patients who receive the shot, and it does not last more than a few months. Regardless, an individual can still protect themselves if they are in a region known for cholera outbreaks by boiling the water before drinking or simply consuming bottled water instead. When dealing with a cholera outbreak, individuals are advised to use bottled water or boiled water for drinking, brushing their teeth, cooking, bathing, and washing themselves or household items such as dishes and laundry, and for rinsing fruits and vegetables.

Individuals can further prevent becoming infected or spreading cholera by not eating the peels of certain fruits and vegetables that might have been ineffectively washed and by not eating any raw shellfish. If an individual has contracted cholera, to help with dehydration, a physician will administer intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics, which will greatly help alleviate serious symptoms.

Finally, learn who is at the highest risk of contracting cholera and why.

Risk Factors Associated With Cholera

Cholera tends to be the most predominate in places where certain communities lack access to clean and safe drinking water, as in many cases, their water supply has become contaminated. Reasons for contamination may be due to the local infrastructure not being properly constructed and falling apart, or the living conditions are cramped and unsanitary. If the water used for the toilet and to remove bodily waste is similar in color to the water supply being used for cooking, cleaning or ingesting, the individuals of that community could be at a substantially high risk for a cholera outbreak. Thankfully, there is hope for these afflicted communities. Access to clean water and better infrastructure, as well as medical care and education, can greatly help reduce the number of cholera outbreaks and lead to healthier communities.