Causes / spread
Cholera is a bacterial (Vibrio cholerae) caused disease. The pathogens enter the human waste in the waste water and from there into the water and in certain foods (milk, shellfish). About one fifth infected diseased, malnourished people are particularly vulnerable. All those infected, including the non-diseased part, the cause of, however, and can thus promote the spread of the disease.
Cholera occurs where there is poor hygiene, poverty, famine or war. Their last cholera epidemic in Germany about 100 years ago in Hamburg and it could be contained only when it had provided clean drinking water and the rehabilitation of the poor hygienic conditions.
Symptoms:
A few days after infection there are massive watery diarrhea and severe vomiting. That last for almost a week. The patients can lose up to 10 liters of fluid a day. If the liquid, and the lost electrolytes (salts) are not replaced, there is dehydration phenomena. At lift off the skin wrinkles remain, there is a strong thirst, muscle cramps and it connect to it eventually can cause a life-threatening circulatory collapse. The disease leaves only a partial immunity. This means that you can once again become ill with cholera.
Therapy:
First and foremost, to replace the lost water and electrolytes by appropriate infusions. Antibiotics against the pathogens are shown.
Prophylaxis (prevention):
1. Good sanitation.
The best prevention is good sanitation, clean water and good nutrition. In countries with dubious hygiene should pay attention to proper water and avoid eating raw foods.
2. Vaccination.
Vaccination against cholera is possible, but does not provide complete protection. So you can fall ill, despite the vaccination, even if the disease is then attenuated. Even if you are not sick, the vaccine can not prevent that you are infected, eliminated the pathogen and thus contributes to the spread of cholera.
3. Isolation.
The separation of the cholera pathogen must be isolated until they are pathogen free.
Cholera is a bacterial (Vibrio cholerae) caused disease. The pathogens enter the human waste in the waste water and from there into the water and in certain foods (milk, shellfish). About one fifth infected diseased, malnourished people are particularly vulnerable. All those infected, including the non-diseased part, the cause of, however, and can thus promote the spread of the disease.
Cholera occurs where there is poor hygiene, poverty, famine or war. Their last cholera epidemic in Germany about 100 years ago in Hamburg and it could be contained only when it had provided clean drinking water and the rehabilitation of the poor hygienic conditions.
Symptoms:
A few days after infection there are massive watery diarrhea and severe vomiting. That last for almost a week. The patients can lose up to 10 liters of fluid a day. If the liquid, and the lost electrolytes (salts) are not replaced, there is dehydration phenomena. At lift off the skin wrinkles remain, there is a strong thirst, muscle cramps and it connect to it eventually can cause a life-threatening circulatory collapse. The disease leaves only a partial immunity. This means that you can once again become ill with cholera.
Therapy:
First and foremost, to replace the lost water and electrolytes by appropriate infusions. Antibiotics against the pathogens are shown.
Prophylaxis (prevention):
1. Good sanitation.
The best prevention is good sanitation, clean water and good nutrition. In countries with dubious hygiene should pay attention to proper water and avoid eating raw foods.
2. Vaccination.
Vaccination against cholera is possible, but does not provide complete protection. So you can fall ill, despite the vaccination, even if the disease is then attenuated. Even if you are not sick, the vaccine can not prevent that you are infected, eliminated the pathogen and thus contributes to the spread of cholera.
3. Isolation.
The separation of the cholera pathogen must be isolated until they are pathogen free.
