ST PAUL UNIVERSITY ILOILO
COLLEGE OF NURSING, 1st Semester, A.Y. 2022-2023
Unit IV COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL (Cholera)
Lecturer: Ms. DULCE MA. S. TILOS, RN, MSN
Adapted from: Module 2 session 6.5
CHOLERA
is an acute intestinal infection caused by
ingestion of food or water contaminated
with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It
has a short incubation period, from less
than 1 day to 5 days. The bacterium
produces an enterotoxin that causes a
copious, painless, watery diarrhea that
can quickly lead to severe dehydration
and death if treatment is not promptly
given. In extreme cases, cholera is a
rapidly fatal disease. A healthy
individual may die within 2-3 hours if no
treatment is provided.
CAUSATIVE ORGANISM
Vibrio cholerae/Vibrio El Tor
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Eating food or drinking water
contaminated with human waste
infected with Vibrio cholerae bacteria
INCUBATION PERIOD
From few hours to 5 days, usually 3 days
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
o Sudden onset of frequent painless watery
stools
o Vomiting
o Rapid dehydration (e.g., sunken eyeballs,
wrinkled and dry skin)
TREATMENT
o Replace lost body fluid by giving
Oral Rehydration Solution
(ORESOL) or a homemade
solution composed of 1 teaspoon
of salt, 4 teaspoons of sugar mixed
in 1 liter of water.
o If diarrhea persists, consult health
workers or bring the patient to the nearest
hospital.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
o Drink only safe and clean water. If
unsure, boil drinking water (Upon
reaching boiling point, extend
boiling for 3 or more minutes). Or
do water chlorination.
o Keep food away from insects and rats
by covering it.
o Wash and cook food properly.
o Dispose of human waste properly.
o Use toilet properly and clean
toilet every day. Wash hands with
soap and water after using toilet
and before eating.
o Keep surroundings clean to prevent
flies and other insects and rodents
from breeding.
o A WHO pre-qualified oral cholera
vaccine is available for travelers and
people in endemic areas. It is given in
two doses and offers protection for 3
years.
KEY POINTS
o An acute serious illness characterized
by sudden onset of acute and profuse
colorless diarrhea, vomiting, severe
dehydration, muscular cramps,
cyanosis and in severe cases collapse.
o The source of infection is vomitus and
feces of infected persons and feces of
convalescent or healthy carriers. Contacts
may be temporary carriers