Cholera
Cholera can be caused by several serotypes of Vibrio cholerae. Some of these serotypes can cause more severe disease than others. Only O1 and O139 cholera serogroups cause epidemics and epidemics. The main carrier of infection in the human body is contaminated water or contaminated food.
Causes of Cholera
This disease is usually spread through the feces of an infected patient. Contaminate food and water by coming into contact with faces of infected persons, food and water due to lack of proper sanitation system. Later, by consuming the said food and water, cholera germs enter the body of healthy people and infect them. Generally, cholera bacteria can survive for a long time in any environment.
Symptoms of cholera
Cholera infection is often mild or asymptomatic. But, in some cases it can be serious. Symptoms of cholera appear within hours to five days after consuming food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae.
In severely affected patients, what is seen is:
Frequent washing of rice with watery stools
vomiting
Leg cramps
Excess water loss from the body can lead to dehydration and shock.
Cholera disease process
Vibrio cholerae produces an enterotoxin called cholera toxin, which causes it to absorb large amounts of chloride and water from the lining of the small intestine, forming slimy stools similar to rice washing water. In severe infection and toxin poisoning, cholera's lethal effects can cause an abnormally low blood pressure in a perfectly healthy person within 1 hour and death within 2-3 hours. A typical moderate infection can lead to shock (ie lack of blood supply to all parts of the body due to low blood pressure etc.) within 4-12 hours and death within a day and a half or a few days.
Cholera History
Witness History: Discovering How Cholera Spreads
Proving that the disease was spread from person to person through drinking contaminated with cholera bacteria was a huge challenge
In the 19th century, when millions of people were dying of cholera in different countries of the world, it became a huge challenge for scientists to solve the mystery of the spread of this disease.
Doctors are then struggling to understand how the disease is spreading globally. Victorians believed cholera was spread through foul air.
It was then that a British doctor named John Snow first discovered that the disease was spread through water contaminated with cholera bacteria. However, the task of proving his theory was not easy.
Prevention of cholera
Cholera is a fatal diarrheal disease. Once upon a time many people died of this disease. Now the death rate has reduced a lot. However, cholera is a preventable disease. Cholera can be prevented through improved sanitation, safe and clean water and food, and hand washing. Also effective vaccines against it have been discovered.
An outbreak of diarrhea has occurred in the country this year soon after the wave of corona subsided. Every year about 1.2 million people are affected by cholera in the country. Out of this, at least 300,000 people are affected by acute cholera.
As part of the mass vaccination program to prevent cholera in the country, the initial phase of vaccination is starting at six places in Dhaka city. Everyone above one year of age should be given this vaccine.
What to do if you have cholera
Cholera is spread through water and food. For this reason, consumption of water and food from open hotels-restaurants and other unsafe sources should be completely stopped.
Regular hand washing should be continued. Regular hand washing is the most effective 'vaccination' to keep the body free from various pathogens.
Cholera is more prevalent in dirty, dirty environments where sanitation is poor. So the surroundings of the house should be kept clean. Ensure improved sanitation.
Cholera vaccine
Like the polio vaccine, the cholera vaccine is given orally. Two doses of the vaccine administered two weeks apart provide effective protection against cholera. However, the resistance rate is 85 percent on average. It is most effective during the first six months of vaccination. After that the efficiency decreases slightly.
It is said that the vaccine is able to build immunity against cholera for two to three years. A one-dose vaccine is available for those traveling to cholera-prone areas. Elsewhere in the world it is given by injection.
Cholera vaccine side effects
Mild abdominal pain may occur for a short time after vaccination. May also be loose stools.
Loss of appetite, fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting etc. may also occur.
Know about cholera vaccination
Cholera vaccine is also safe for pregnant women. It is safe even for those with weak immune systems. This vaccine has been licensed in 60 countries around the world. Vaccination can reduce cholera deaths by 50 percent.
However, no vaccine is able to prevent 100% of the disease. For this reason, safe water and food should be taken care of to prevent cholera.
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