Cholera

What is cholera?

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. People typically acquire cholera from contaminated water. Most people with cholera have few or no symptoms, but some will experience severe diarrhea and dehydration. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are between 1.3 and 4 million cases of cholera worldwide each year, leading to between 21,000 and 143,000 deaths. Cholera is common in countries where citizens live in slums with poor sanitation. Ghana has had several outbreaks every year since its first major outbreak in 1970 with about 41,000 cases occurring every year.

What are the symptoms of cholera?

Symptoms of cholera may include: sudden onset of diarrhea (characteristic rice water stool), nausea and vomiting; mild to severe dehydration. The dehydration associated with cholera is often severe and can cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Tiredness
• Moodiness
• Sunken eyes
• Dry mouth
• Shriveled skin
• Extreme thirst
• Reduced urine output
• Irregular heart rate
• Low blood pressure

Dehydration may cause the loss of minerals in your blood, which can result in an electrolyte imbalance. The first symptom of an electrolyte imbalance is severe muscle cramps. An electrolyte imbalance can eventually lead to shock. Children with cholera usually have the same symptoms as adults. Children may also experience: severe drowsiness, fever, convulsions, coma.

What are the risk factors for cholera?

Anyone can potentially contract cholera, but a few factors may increase your risk. These risk factors also increase the likelihood that you’ll have a severe case:

• Unclean conditions. Cholera is present in places with poor sanitation and contaminated water.
• Sick household members. Close contact with people who have cholera can increase your risk.
• Low levels of stomach acid. Cholera bacteria cannot live in highly acidic environments.
• Type O blood. People with type O blood are more likely to experience severe illness.
• Eating raw shellfish. If you eat shellfish/shrimps/crab that come from waters contaminated with cholera bacteria, there’s a greater chance of you contracting cholera.

That said, if you observe proper food safety practices or take preventive measures, the risk of infection is minor, even in places where cholera is endemic.

How can you avoid cholera?

• A very effective way of preventing cholera is practicing proper hand hygiene, after visiting the toilet and before eating.
• Eating hot food
• Eat meals prepared from a trusted; preferably home cooked meals
• Wash fruits and vegetables (such as kontomire, ayoyo leaves) with salted water
• Drink potable water; FDA approved sachet/bottle water or boiled water

How can cholera be treatment?

Common methods for treating cholera include:

• Oral rehydration salts, which are mixed with water or other electrolyte solutions
• Intravenous (IV) fluid rehydration at the closest clinic or hospital
• Antibiotics from the closest clinic or hospital, zinc supplements

These treatments add to the liquid in the body and rehydrate it. They also help reduce the length of time you have diarrhea.

What may happen if cholera is not treated?

Cholera can be fatal. Even under typical circumstances, if cholera is left untreated, people can die of severe dehydration within 6 to 12 hours after their symptoms start. Shock can also set in after a few hours or days. Severe dehydration and shock are the most serious complications of cholera. However, other problems may occur, such as: low blood sugar, low potassium levels; kidney failure.