Page 23 - The Regent Digest Volume 12 Issue 39

Medical Corner TREATMENT AND PREVENTION Researchers have

There is a vaccine for cholera. Both the CDC and
the World Health Organization have specific
guidelines for who should be given this vaccine. estimated that each
You can protect yourself and your family by us-
CHOLERA has been chemically disinfected, or bottled wa- million cases of cholera,
year there are 1.3 to 4.0
ing only water that has been boiled, water that

ter. Be sure to use bottled, boiled, or chemically
disinfected water for the following purposes:

Here’s all you need • Making ice and 21 000 to 143 000

• Brushing your teeth
to know • Washing your face and hands deaths worldwide due

• Washing dishes and utensils that you use
to eat or prepare food to cholera
• Washing fruits and vegetables
• When done using the toilet

Cholera can usually be anticipated and
stopped with proper measures in place.
While antibiotics are not included in
holera is a sudden intestinal infec- By providing clean water, and sanitation To purify your own water, either boil it for one
emergency treatment for mild cases as
tion caused by consuming contam- facilities, and promoting good hygiene minute (or 3 minutes at higher elevations) or
they kill the bacteria, they can help re-
Cinated food or water containing the practices consistently for everyone, the filter it and add a commercial chemical disin-
duce the duration of diarrhoea by 50%
Vibrio cholerae bacterium. It continues disease can eventually be eradicated. fectant. Also, steer clear of raw foods such as
and lower the excretion of the bacteria,
to pose a significant risk to public health unwashed fruits and vegetables and unpasteur- which in turn helps to prevent the dis-
globally, highlighting disparities and so- WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ised milk and dairy products. ease from spreading.
cietal shortcomings. Studies suggest that CHOLERA
annually, there are between 1.3 to 4.0 mil- • Diarrhoea and vomiting If you experience intense, watery diarrhoea and
lion cases of cholera and 21,000 to 143,000 • Rapid heart rate vomiting, especially after consuming raw shell-
deaths worldwide as a result of the dis- • Loss of skin elasticity (the ability to fish or travelling to a cholera-prone region, seek
ease. return to original position quickly if immediate medical attention. Cholera can be
pinched) effectively treated, but rapid dehydration under-

Cholera is an extremely serious disease • Dry mucous membranes, including the scores the necessity of promptly receiving chol-
that can cause severe acute watery di- inside of the mouth, throat, nose, and era treatment.
arrhoea with severe dehydration. It takes eyelids
between 12 hours and 5 days for a person • Low blood pressure The cornerstone of cholera treatment is main- Ajetunmobi Mercy
to show symptoms after consuming con- • Muscle cramps taining hydration. Depending on the severity Oduduwa Hostel
taminated food or water. Cholera affects • If not treated, dehydration can lead to of the diarrhoea, therapy will involve providing
both children and adults and can kill with- shock and death in a matter of hours fluids orally or through IV to replace those that Nurse/Matron

in hours if untreated. have been lost.

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