Cholera being a bacterial infection is quite transferrable as this is achieved basically by ingesting contaminated food or water. With this transfer mode as well as others about 1.3-4.0 million cases are being reported on yearly basis, this shows how fast it is easily spread. Cholera is a killer disease as it could kill within hours if not treated, this is so as it causes severe and acute diarrhea that leads to dehydration which is at a high rate of about 1 liter per hour, at this rate if nothing is done about it, the infected person could die in few hours, but there is the oral rehydration solution (ORS) which involves taking in large volume of water which has a mixture of both sugar and salts, this will help to compensate for whatsoever is lost due to the diarrhea.
THE MECHANISM
When one ingests food that is contaminated, the vibrio cholerae would then secrete a Puissant toxin called CTX which after secretion would then attach itself to the walls of the intestine where it would greatly disrupt the normal flow of sodium and chloride, this would certainly cause the body to secrete huge amount of water, leading to loss of important fluid and salts i.e diarrhea.
SYMPTOMS
Cholera as most other diseases it's own symptoms which are outlined below, though not every one gets to exhibit these symptoms but a confirmation of their being infected would be found in their faeces as the bacteria would be present in it. Symptoms of cholera usually manifest between 12 hours after infection to 5 days, it gets to vary though. The symptoms includes;
- Severe Diarrhea
- Frequent vomiting and nausea
- Loose skin
- Fast heartbeat
- Dry mouth
- Dehydration
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)
- Hypokalemia(low potassium level)
COMPLICATIONS
Complications confirmed to be associated with the cholera disease includes;
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Sunken eyes
- Seizures
- Coma
- Kidney failure
- Nerve failure
- Little urine output
- Arrhythmia
- Electrolytic imbalance
- Shock
- Muscle cramps
PREVENTION
Too effective ways to prevent cholera are outlined below;
- Vaccination - there is presently vaccines for cholera and these include vaxchora,dukoral,shanchol,euvichol e.t.c.
- Drink clean water.
- Ensured food is properly cook before eating it.
- Hands should be washed properly with soap and water before and after any activity that involved contact with not too clean or public facilities.
- Wash fruits properly before ingesting.
- Do not eat road side food as you do not know the hygiene of preparation.
- Practice good food hygiene.
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