Week 13.

1: CD Discussion 5 - Differentiate Cholera, Dysentery and Typhoid Fever as to other names,

etiologic agent, and drug of choice? Have you been subjected for liver profile and injected with
Hepatitis Vaccine? Why is this important as a nsg student?

Diarrheal diseases have a high global burden, accounting for 1.7 to 5 billion cases per year.
Typhoid fever (TF) and cholera are potentially fatal infectious diseases spread primarily through the
consumption of contaminated food, drink, or water contaminated with the pathogen's feces or urine. TF
is primarily caused by Salmonella typhi, whereas cholera is caused by intestinal infection by the toxin-
producing bacterium Vibrio cholerae. These diseases are most common in low- and middle-income
countries where housing is overcrowded and water and sanitation are inadequate, or where conflicts or
natural disasters have caused the water, sanitation, and healthcare systems to fail. Children under the
age of five have a higher mortality rate. In terms of geographical distribution, TF is prevalent in Sub-
Saharan Africa, India, and South-East Asia, whereas cholera is prevalent in a few African countries, most
notably the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Preventative measures are critical in the fight against these diseases. Transmissible diseases can
now spread across continents and oceans in a matter of days, posing a threat to global public health.
People nowadays travel for a variety of reasons, including tourism and business. According to several
surveys, a large proportion of travelers lack adequate information on safety issues such as timely
vaccination and prophylactic medications.

The primary goal of this overview is to provide data to help European travelers in staying healthy
while abroad, thereby reducing the possible importation of these illnesses and the consequences for
public health and society.

The precautionary measures to be incorporated in the situation of traveling to countries where

these diseases are still endemic are well known: the implementation of safe practices and vaccinations.
It is critical to emphasize that an effective preventive strategy should include both vaccinations and
travel hygiene guidelines.

Moreover, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains has become a significant issue in the
clinical treatment of these diseases. As a result, vaccination is the primary solution.

Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that causes bloody or mucusy diarrhoea.

Other dysentery symptoms include:

 stomach cramps that are excruciating

 feeling sick or being sick (vomiting) 
 a high temperature

Dysentery is highly contagious and can be spread if proper precautions are not taken, such as properly
and regularly washing your hands.
There are 2 main types of dysentery:

 bacillary dysentery or shigellosis, which is caused by shigella bacteria; this is the most common
type of dysentery in the UK
 amoebic dysentery, also known as amoebiasis, is caused by an amoeba (single-celled parasite)
called Entamoeba histolytica, which is found primarily in tropical areas; this type of dysentery is
typically acquired abroad.

Treating dysentery:

 As dysentery usually gets better on its own after 3 to 7 days, treatment is not usually needed.
 However, it's important to drink plenty of fluids and use oral rehydration solutions if necessary
to avoid dehydration.
 Painkillers, such as paracetamol, can help relieve pain and fever. Avoid anti-diarrhoea
medicines, such as loperamide, because they can make things worse.
 You should stay at home until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea, to reduce the
risk of passing the infection on to others.

Yes, I have been injected with a Hepatitis Vaccine.

Importance of Hepatitis Vaccine:

Since students of health professions (medical, nursing, and paramedical) are future healthcare workers
that are early exposed to the risk of HBV infection during their clinical training, it is recommended that
they should also be immunized against HBV.