🦠 Vibrio Cholerae

🦠 Cholera is an acute diarrhea infection caused by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae. Researchers have estimated that each year there are 1.3 million to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide.

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🔍 Symptoms⁣⁣

👨🏻‍💼 Majority of infected will not display symptoms⁣⁣

⏰ Onset is typically 12 hours - several days⁣⁣

🚽 Watery diarrhea +/- dehydration⁣⁣

🤢 Nausea +/- vomiting⁣⁣

😵‍💫 Convulsions⁣⁣

💀 Fatal if left untreated⁣⁣

💊 Treatment⁣⁣

Oral hydration is the most important action ~ 6L fluids a day for moderate dehydration⁣⁣

Severe dehydration - Hospital admission and intravenous hydration +/- antibiotics⁣⁣

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🧼 Prevention⁣⁣

Measures for the prevention of cholera mostly consist of providing clean water and proper sanitation to populations who do not yet have access to basic services, as well as vaccination with vaccines.

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Health education and good food hygiene are also essential. All visitors or residents in areas where cholera is occurring or has occurred should follow recommendations to prevent getting sick:⁣⁣

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🔹 Drink bottled or boiled water⁣⁣

🔹 Wash your hands often⁣⁣

🔹 Eat foods that are fresh packaged⁣⁣

🔹 Dispose waste in a sanitary matter to prevent contamination⁣⁣

Image courtesy of @cdc

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