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| Credit: wikipedia |
Cholera is
an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea,
which can lead to dehydration and
even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water
contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera was
prevalent in the U.S. in the 1800s, before modern water and sewage treatment
systems eliminated its spread by contaminated water. Only about 10 cases of
cholera are reported each year in the U.S. and half of these are acquired
abroad. Rarely, contaminated seafood has caused cholera outbreaks in the U.S.
However, cholera outbreaks are still a serious problem in other parts of the
world. At least 150,000 cases are reported to the World Health Organization
each year.
The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation,
crowding, war, and famine. Common locations include parts of Africa, south
Asia, and Latin America. If you are traveling to one of those areas, knowing
the following cholera facts can help protect you and your family.
Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera, is
usually found in food or water contaminated by feces from a person with the
infection. Common sources include:
- Municipal water supplies
- Ice made from municipal water
- Foods and drinks sold by street vendors
- Vegetables grown with water containing human wastes
- Raw or undercooked fish and seafood caught in waters polluted with sewage
When a person consumes the contaminated food or water, the
bacteria release a toxin in the intestines that
produces severediarrhea.
It is not likely you will catch cholera just from casual
contact with an infected person.
Cholera Symptoms
Symptoms of cholera can begin as soon as a few hours or as
long as five days after infection. Often, symptoms are mild. But sometimes they
are very serious. About one in 20 people infected have severe watery diarrhea accompanied
by vomiting,
which can quickly lead todehydration.
Although many infected people may have minimal or no symptoms, they can still
contribute to spread of the infection.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Loss of skin elasticity (the ability to return to original position quickly if pinched)
- Dry mucous membranes, including the inside of the mouth, throat, nose, and eyelids
- Low blood pressure
- Thirst
- Muscle cramps
If not treated, dehydration can lead to shock and death in a
matter of hours. Read More >>
Source: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cholera-faq
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