CHOLERA

By
A. Manwere
manwemom@yahoo.com
Cell:0772 447181
 Cholera

• Cholera is an infection of the small

intestine that causes a large amount
of watery diarrhoea.
Causes, Incidence, and Risk factors
• Cholera is caused by the bacterium
Vibrio cholerae.
• The bacteria release a toxin that
causes increased release of water in
the intestines, which produces
severe diarrhoea.
Causes, Incidence, and Risk factors
• Cholera occurs in places with poor
sanitation, crowding, war, and
famine. Common locations for
cholera include:
• Africa, Asia, India, Mexico, South and
Central America
Causes, Incidence, and Risk factors
• People get the infection by eating or
drinking contaminated food or
water.
• A type of vibrio bacteria also has
been associated with shellfish.
 Risk factors include

• Exposure to contaminated or
untreated drinking water.
• Living in or travelling to areas where
there is cholera.
• Poor hygiene practices.
 Risk factors include

• Fly infested areas.

• Poor sanitation.
• Eating contaminated food this
includes raw fruits, vegetables e.t.c.
 Symptoms
• Symptoms can vary from mild to
severe.
• Abdominal cramps
• Watery diarrhoea that starts
suddenly and has a "fishy" odour,
described as rice water stool.
 Symptoms
Rapid dehydration characterized by:
• Dry mucus membranes or mouth
• Dry skin
• Excessive thirst
• Glassy or sunken eyes
 Symptoms
• Lack of tears
• Lethargy
• Low urine output.
• Sunken "soft spots" (fontanels) in
infants
 Symptoms
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Unusual sleepiness or tiredness
 Tests that may be done to make a
diagnosis include
• Blood culture to isolate the toxin
produced by the vibrio-cholerae
• Stool culture to isolate the vibrio-
cholerae.
 
 Treatment

• The objective of treatment of all

diarrhoeal diseases is to replace fluid
and electrolytes lost through
diarrhoea.
• Depending on the condition, the
client may be given fluids by mouth
or through a vein (intravenous).
 Treatment

• Antibiotics may shorten the time of

illness but not all diarrhoeal diseases
need antibiotics.
• These are usually given after culture
and sensitivity.
• These are available at all health
centres.
 Treatment

• The World Health Organization

(WHO) has developed an oral
rehydration solution that is cheaper
• easier to use than the typical
intravenous fluid.
• This rehydration solution is now being
used internationally.
 Complications
• Severe dehydration
• Death can occur within hours if fluid
replacement is not done promptly.
 Prevention
• Travellers should always take
precautions with food and drinking
water, even if vaccinated.
• When outbreaks of cholera occur,
efforts should be directed toward
establishing clean water, food, and
sanitation, because vaccination is not
very effective in managing outbreaks.
 Prevention
• Wash hands after visiting the toilet
with soap or ash.
• Eat food whilst hot.
• Cover food to prevent contamination
by flies.
• Use toilets and avoid using the bush.
 Prevention
• Avoid shaking hands in times of out
breaks even at funerals.
• Wash fruits and vegetable before
eating using running water, a weak
solution of sodium hypochlorite (jik)
can be used.
 Prevention
• Drink water from a protected source or
treat the water with 5mls of sodium
hypochlorite to 20 litres of water and
leave overnight before drinking.
• Report all suspected cases to you
community health worker immediately
or your nearest health centre.