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Cholera
Cholera
Description
The acute enteric infection that has caused several outbreaks worldwide in the
recent years is known ascholera, otherwise called as violent dysentery. It has widely
affected those locations with less potable supply of water, or those with inaccessible
basic needs, and most especially those crowded places with lack of sanitation and
hygiene practices.
Cholera is transmitted through fecal- oral route, more likely the ingestion of directly
or indirectly fecal contaminated water or food by soiled hands, utensils or
mechanical carrier like flies. A person who is infected by this illness can transmit the
organism through his feces or vomitus. So, obviously, the diagnosis for this enteric
infection is through fecal analysis. But, presently, the availability of the new rapid
diagnostic test (RDT)is a promising way of early diagnosis. However, it is still being
verified by the WHO to be utilized.
The extremely short incubation period of cholera pertaining to a few hours to five
days with average of 3 days has marked its deadly threat to those infected to it;
considering that its mild form causes no symptomsat all. That is why it could result
to severe dehydration, coma and death if left untreated.
The initial clinical manifestations of an individual infected with cholera are:
Later on, if not treated right away it could get worse to more profuse watery
diarrhea (grayish white or rice water colored stools), vomiting and severe or violent
leg cramps leading to mild up to severe dehydration.
Moderate Dehydration
Severe Dehydration
in an area where there is a cholera epidemic, a patient aged 5 years or more
develops acute watery diarrhoea, with or without vomiting.