Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae which releases a toxin that causes severe watery diarrhea and dehydration. It occurs in areas with poor sanitation and is transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration. Treatment focuses on oral rehydration and antibiotics if a stool culture confirms cholera. Prevention emphasizes safe food, water, handwashing, and proper sanitation.

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

2. Cholera
• Cholera is an infection of the small
intestine that causes a large amount
of watery diarrhoea.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

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

7. Risk factors include
• Fly infested areas.
• Poor sanitation.
• Eating contaminated food this
includes raw fruits, vegetables e.t.c.

8. 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.

9. Symptoms
Rapid dehydration characterized by:
• Dry mucus membranes or mouth
• Dry skin
• Excessive thirst
• Glassy or sunken eyes

10. Symptoms
• Lack of tears
• Lethargy
• Low urine output.
• Sunken "soft spots" (fontanels) in
infants

11. Symptoms
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Unusual sleepiness or tiredness

12. 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.

13. 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).

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Complications
• Severe dehydration
• Death can occur within hours if fluid
replacement is not done promptly.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.