CHOLERA Nycole Cheatham The Basics Infection Cause Cholera

CHOLERA Nycole Cheatham

The Basics

Infection Cause Cholera is an acute epidemic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. A soluble toxin elaborated in the intestinal tract by the bacterium activates the adenylate cylase of the mucosa, causing active secretion of an isotonic fluid resulting in profuse watery diarrhea, extreme loss of fluid and electrolytes, and dehydration and collapse, but no gross morphologic change in the intestinal mucosa.

What parts of the world are affected? Cholera remains an everpresent risk in many countries. New outbreaks can occur sporadically in any part of the world where water supplies, sanitation, food safety, and hygiene are inadequate. The greatest risk occurs in overpopulated communities and refugee settings characterized by poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water.

Time Frame Cholera was first discovered by Filippo Pacini in when the disease came to Florence in 1854 during the Asiatic Cholera Pandemic of 184663. Since then Cholera has had several outbreaks in developing countries because of the lack of a fresh water supply.

The Symptoms

How Do You Get It? A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill.

What Does Cholera Affect? Cholera is an infection in the intestines. The body is affected because it becomes dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea. A person with cholera must always be hydrated, preferably with drinks containing electrolytes.

Symptoms? Cholera infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe. Approximately one in 20 (5%) infected persons will have severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these people, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

How Long Until Death Occurs? Developed A person with Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea. Undeveloped Without vaccination a person who has contracted the Cholera disease can die within 3 -4 hours.

How Does It Spread? The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill. To contract the disease you must have also drank some of the water with the bacteria in it.

How Many People Die Annually? Developed Cholera is very rare in industrialized nations and when it is present, the disease is usually treated and the people live. Undeveloped Approximately 200, 000 cases are reported to the World Health Organization every year. However, the WHO believes the true number of cases annually is between 3 -5 million, with 100, 000 to 120, 000 deaths.

Possibility of Recovery? Cholera can be treated with antibiotics but it is not necessary for the person to heal completely. By rehydrating the body and putting salts back in the body lost from diarrhea, a person can survive this disease.

Treatment

Basic Traditional Treatments The most simple treatment for cholera is to drink a mixture of water and salts to rehydrate the body.

Modern Medicine Treatment Antibiotics shorten the course and diminish the severity of the illness, but they are not as important as receiving rehydration. Persons who develop severe diarrhea and vomiting in countries where cholera occurs should seek medical attention promptly.

Cure Who : Filippo Pacini (1812 -83) was born in Pistoia, Italy on May 25, 1812. What: Discovered a comma-shaped bacillus which he described as a Vibrio. He published a paper in 1854 entitled, "Microscopical observations and pathological deductions on cholera" in which he described the organism and its relation to the disease. When: Cholera came to Florence in 1854 during the Asiatic Cholera Pandemic of 1846 -63 Although Pacini discovered Cholera in 1854, he wasn’t recognized for it until many years later.

Research & Treatment Organizatons Developed U. S. and international public health authorities are working to enhance surveillance for cholera, investigate cholera outbreaks, and design and implement preventive measures across the globe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigates epidemic cholera wherever it occurs at the invitation of the affected country and trains laboratory workers in proper techniques for identification of Vibrio cholerae. Undeveloped In underdeveloped countries, there aren’t really any organizations that help with funding cholera research and treatment.

Cost of Treatment The most basic of cholera treatments cost about 20 cents. In developing countries, that might not be the best solution considering they may not be able to afford it. A quick mix of salt and water can be made cheaply and for a low cost.

References Encyclopedia of Earth- Cholera. (2008, 02 28). Retrieved from http: //www. eoearth. org/view/article/151109/ World Health Organization- Cholera. (2012, 07). Retrieved from http: //www. who. int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs 107/en/ Medical News Today- What is cholera? what causes cholera. (2010, 05 19). Retrieved from http: //www. medicalnewstoday. com/articles/189269. php Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Cholera - vibrio cholerae infection. (2013, 07 30). Retrieved from http: //www. cdc. gov/cholera/general/ Who first discovered vibrio cholerae. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http: //www. ph. ucla. edu/epi/snow/firstdiscoveredcholera. html