According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cholera is spread from bacteria in water or food sources that has been contaminated by feces from a human who is infected with cholera.
Signs and Symptoms
The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe and life threatening, Some symptoms that appear with a major illness are:
profuse watery diarrhea
vomiting
rapid heart rate
loss of skin elasticity
dry mucous membranes
low blood pressure
thirst
muscle cramps
restlessness or irritability
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
How to Treat
According to the Mayo Clinic, Cholera requires immediate treatment because the disease can cause death within hours.
Rehydration. The goal is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes using a simple rehydration solution, oral rehydration salts (ORS).
Intravenous fluids. During a cholera epidemic, most people can be helped by oral rehydration alone, but severely dehydrated people may also need intravenous fluids.
Antibiotics. While antibiotics are not a necessary part of cholera treatment, some of these drugs may reduce both the amount and duration of diarrhea for people who are severely ill.
Zinc supplements. Research has shown that zinc may decrease and shorten the duration of diarrhea in children with cholera.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Header picture: Cholera virus by Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain Picture from Slideshow: Cure for Cholera by Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain Hand Washing by Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain "Cholera." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Mar. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cholera/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355293 "Cholera - Vibrio Cholerae Infection." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Nov. 2016, www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html