Cholera
Cholera Awareness
What is Cholera?
- An infection of the intestines caused by consuming contaminated water or foods.
- Severe and even fatal disease that can kill within hours.
- Caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae.
- Cholera infection causes watery diarrhea and vomiting leading to quick dehydration
- Severe dehydration causes serious health problems such as seizures and kidney failure.
However simple and efficient measures can curb the incidence of Cholera such as vaccination.
How Do People Get Cholera?
- People get cholera from eating or drinking food or water that’s been contaminated.
- Cholera epidemics can also sometimes happen after a disaster such as an earthquake or flood.
- The risks of cholera epidemics is increased if people are living in tents or other places without running water or proper sanitation systems.
- Cholera is not contagious, so you can’t catch it from direct contact with another person except it gets transferred through food or water.
Who is at Risk of Getting Cholera?
- Any age-group may suffer from Cholera.
- Some individuals are at higher risk to become infected than others:
-The risk of contracting cholera is very high among young children
-People who are malnourished or immune compromised are more likely to get the disease.
-People with reduced acid secretion in the stomach and people taking medicines to reduce stomach acid(H2 blockers and others) are also more likely to develop cholera because stomach acid kills many types of bacteria including Vibrio cholera.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
- Symptoms can appear in a few hours or as late as 5 days later.
- Some people with cholera have no signs or symptoms, but some cases are severe and can be life-threatening.
- Common symptoms of cholera and the dehydration it causes include:
- Watery,pale-colored diarrhea, often in large amounts
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cramps,particularly in the abdomen and legs
- Irritability,lack of energy, or unusual sleepiness
- Glassy or sunken eyes
- Dry mouth and extreme thirst
- Dry, shriveled skin
- Low urine(peel output and lack of tears
- Irregular heartbeat(arrhythmia and low blood pressure.
When should I Call a Doctor?
- If you develop symptoms of cholera, call your doctor or get medical help right away. Severe dehydration can happen very quickly, so its essential to start replacing lost fluids right away.
- If you have a severe case of diarrhea or vomiting, call a doctor immediately, even if you’re pretty sure its not cholera. Dehydration is a serious medical condition regardless of the cause,and it needs to be treated quickly before it can do damage to internal organs.
How Can I Prevent Cholera?
- Cholera vaccination can help protect people against cholera: Preventive vaccination is recommended for all individuals at risk of cholera
WHO recommends that immunization be used in complement to other prevention and control strategies such as:
- Drink and Use safe Water.
- Cook food well (especially seafood) keep covered, eat it hot.
- Wash your hands well and often with soap and clean water, especially after you use the bathroom or before you prepare food. If no soap and water are available, use a hand sanitizer that’s contains at least 60% alcohol.
Speak to a nurse, doctor or pharmacist about cholera vaccination.
Oral vaccines are considered a useful tool for both prevention and control of cholera epidemics.
The cholera vaccine is available in Nigeria indicated for from 1 year of age. It is taken as 2 doses 2 weeks to one month apart.
