Useful information about colera

[Neil Enslin]

What is cholera?

Cholera is caused by a germ called Vibrio Cholerae, which is found in infected water. It affects the stomach and causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting.



How are people infected?

You can get infected if you:

* drink water that contains cholera germs
* eat food infected with cholera germs
* eat food with unclean hands
* use infected water for household purposes like washing and cooking
* have contact with an infected person’s stools or infected bedding
* wash clothes which contain the cholera germ in a river or throwing infected water into the main sources of water like rivers or dams.



What are the signs of cholera?

Signs of cholera include:

* Severe watery diarrhea. This means the patient has a runny stomach, which cannot be controlled.
* Nausea, which leads to vomiting and muscle cramps.
* Dehydration. This means the body loses water, natural salts and other nutrients because of diarrhea and vomiting. It can range from mild to severe and can lead to coma and even death within a few hours.

Simple ways to beat the disease

* Boil water for at least ten minutes and leave to cool before drinking
* Add one teaspoon of bleach to 25 litres of water and mix well. Leave the water in the container overnight or at least for two hours before using it. If little water is needed for use immediately, add five drops of bleach to one litre of water and leave for half an hour before using it.


Treatment of a patient

* Anyone who shows any signs of cholera must visit a hospital or clinic as soon as possible for treatment. Treatment involves replacing the fluids and salts lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
* As an emergency measure at home, you can mix one litre of clean, cooled, boiled water with eight level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt.
* Give the patient as much of this mixture as possible, at least two cups after each stool.

How can I prevent cholera?

* Wash your hands after using the toilet
* Wash your hands after changing your baby’s nappies
* Wash your hands before cooking
* Boil and purify water for cooking and drinking
* Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating
* Store purified water in a clean container and keep it covered
* Keep food covered
* Do not play or swim in or use water from streams, rivers and dams
* Cook fish thoroughly before eating

[jaxter]

One of my friend had also experienced these symptoms, I suggest him to consult a doctor. Your information is helpful to all those who are not aware of these causes and its treatment as often we ignore some initial symptoms which result severe.