Cholera

Because Cholera is spread through insanitation and water pollution, I thought it would be interesting to find more details about this disease.

What is it: Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that causes a large amount of watery diarrhea (pleasant, I know.)

Symptoms:

Abdominal cramps

Dry mucus membranes or mouth

Dry skin

Excessive thirst

Glassy or sunken eyes

Lack of tears

Lethargy

Low urine output

Nausea

Rapid dehydration

Rapid pulse (heart rate)

Sunken "soft spots" (fontanelles) in infants

Unusual sleepiness or tiredness

Vomiting

Watery diarrhea that starts sudden

Causes: Cholera is caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae. The bacteria releases a toxin that causes increased release of water in the intestines, which produces severe diarrhea.

Cholera occurs in places with poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine. Common locations for cholera include:

Africa

Asia

India

Mexico

South and Central America

The Mediterranean

People get the infection by ingesting contaminated food or water.

A type of vibrio bacteria also has been associated with shellfish, especially raw oysters.

Treatment: The objective of treatment is to replace fluid and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. Fluids may be given by mouth or through a vein. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed an oral rehydration solution that is cheaper and easier to use than the typical intravenous fluid. Their solution of sugar and electrolytes is now being used internationally.