Cholera
Description
The acute enteric infection that has caused several outbreaks worldwide in the
recent years is known as cholera, 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 faecal- oral route, more likely the ingestion of
directly or indirectly faecal 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 faeces or vomitus. So, obviously, the
diagnosis for this enteric infection is through faecal 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 symptoms at 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:
▪ Acute colicky pain of the abdomen
▪ Mild diarrhoea with yellowish coloured stools
▪ Headache and vomiting
▪ Fever, which may or may not be present
▪ Marked mental depression
Later on, if not treated right away it could get worse to more profuse watery
diarrhoea (greyish white or rice water coloured stools), vomiting and severe or
violent leg cramps – leading to mild up to severe dehydration.
Description
The acute enteric infection that has caused several outbreaks worldwide in the
recent years is known as cholera, 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 faecal- oral route, more likely the ingestion of
directly or indirectly faecal 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 faeces or vomitus. So, obviously, the
diagnosis for this enteric infection is through faecal 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 symptoms at 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:
▪ Acute colicky pain of the abdomen
▪ Mild diarrhoea with yellowish coloured stools
▪ Headache and vomiting
▪ Fever, which may or may not be present
▪ Marked mental depression
Later on, if not treated right away it could get worse to more profuse watery
diarrhoea (greyish white or rice water coloured stools), vomiting and severe or
violent leg cramps – leading to mild up to severe dehydration.
