Have you suddenly had a severe stomach ache, accompanied by vomiting? Sometimes we think it's just a simple stomach ache or food poisoning. But this can also be a symptom of a dangerous disease that can develop, especially if you drink dirty water or eat food from a place with poor hygiene. That disease is called cholera. Hearing this name makes you a little scared, but if you are fully aware of it, there is no reason to be afraid. Today, we will talk about cholera in a simple way that you can understand.
What exactly is Cholera?
Simply put, cholera is an infectious disease. It is caused when a type of bacteria called *Vibrio cholerae* enters our bodies. This bacteria goes to our intestines and produces a toxin. It is because of this toxin that we lose a lot of fluid from our bodies and experience severe diarrhea.
This diarrhea is so severe that if not treated properly, the body can become severely dehydrated within a few hours and even die. But the best thing is that cholera is a very treatable disease. The main thing is to diagnose the disease quickly and replace the lost water from the body.
How is cholera transmitted?
This is very important to understand. Cholera is spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the feces of a person infected with cholera. For example, if someone with cholera prepares food without washing their hands properly after defecating, the person who eats it can become infected. Also, if this feces gets into our drinking water sources, such as well water, everyone who uses that water is at risk of contracting the disease.
The most important thing is that cholera is not spread through normal contact, such as talking, shaking hands, or sneezing.
These are some of the main ways cholera is transmitted:
- Contaminated public water sources: Contaminated well water, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
- Food purchased from street vendors: There is a high chance of contracting this disease from food that is not properly cooked or prepared without proper hygiene.
- Raw vegetables: It can be transmitted through contaminated water or raw vegetables grown with fertilizers.
- Raw or undercooked fish and seafood: Cholera can also be transmitted by eating fish that has been in contaminated water.
- Grains left at room temperature after cooking: For example, if something like cooked rice becomes contaminated and is left at room temperature for too long, bacteria can grow.
What are the symptoms of cholera?
Not everyone who gets cholera will develop severe symptoms. Some people may have very mild symptoms, while others may have the disease without any symptoms at all. But if symptoms do occur, they can appear within a few hours or up to 5 days after infection.
It is very important to recognize these symptoms correctly. Let's see this clearly in a table.
| Characteristics category | Symptoms that indicate |
|---|---|
| Main symptoms |
|
| Symptoms of Dehydration |
|
Warning: If dehydration from severe cholera is not treated within a few hours, it can lead to shock and even death. So do not ignore these symptoms.
When you need to see a doctor immediately
If you or someone you know develops severe, watery diarrhea and vomiting, especially after eating raw seafood or traveling to a country where cholera is common, seek medical attention immediately. Cholera is easily treatable, but dehydration can occur very quickly, so it is essential to start treatment right away.
The best thing to do is to go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible.
How is it treated?
The main treatment for cholera is hydration. Depending on the severity of the diarrhea, oral solutions (such as Jeevani) or intravenous fluids are given to replace lost fluids.
Antibiotics, which kill bacteria, are not part of emergency treatment for minor cases, but they can help reduce the duration of diarrhea by half, reduce bacterial shedding, and prevent the spread of the disease.
Very important: Never take over-the-counter medicine to stop diarrhea without consulting a doctor. This may make symptoms worse.
How to avoid cholera?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. The same is true for cholera. By following simple hygiene practices, we can completely protect ourselves from this disease.
- Vaccination: There is an oral vaccine for cholera called Vaxchora. If you are planning to travel to an area where cholera is common, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting this vaccine.
- Hygiene habits: These are the most important things.
| Ways to prevent cholera | |
|---|---|
| 💧 Water Safety | |
| Drinking water | Always drink only boiled water, bottled water, or chemically purified water. |
| Other uses | Use safe water to prepare food or drinks, make ice, brush your teeth, wash your face and hands, wash dishes, and even wash fruits and vegetables. |
| 🍲 Food Safety | |
| Hand washing | Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet. This is very important. |
| Foods to avoid | Avoid unpeeled fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and raw or undercooked meat or seafood. |
| Cooking | Cook food thoroughly before eating. It is best to eat cooked food while it is still hot. |
Complications if severe
If cholera becomes severe, dehydration can cause various complications.
- Low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia): Especially in children, blood sugar levels can drop dangerously when they are unable to eat due to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Low potassium levels: Diarrhea causes the body to lose a large amount of essential minerals, such as potassium. This can affect the functioning of the heart and nervous system.
- Kidney failure: Severe dehydration and shock can cause the kidneys to lose blood supply and function, which can be life-threatening.
Take-Home Message
- Cholera is a serious but easily treatable disease spread through contaminated food and water.
- The main symptoms are sudden, watery diarrhea and vomiting. The main danger is dehydration.
- If you have these symptoms, especially if you ate food from a dirty place or have just returned from a trip, see a doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
- Cholera can be completely protected by always drinking clean, safe water, cooking food thoroughly, and washing hands thoroughly with soap.
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