CHOLERA

Cholera: Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Prevention, and Immunization

Causes: Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

Symptoms: In some cases, individuals infected with cholera may not exhibit noticeable symptoms. In benign cases, especially in children, symptoms may resemble gastroenteritis. However, toxic infection is more severe, marked by profuse watery stools, potential blood in stools, vomiting, intense abdominal cramps, and painful muscle cramps. Severe dehydration, if untreated, can lead to circulatory collapse, with a 50 percent fatality rate. Treatment with antibiotics and fluid therapy reduces mortality to 1 to 5 percent.

Transmission: Cholera is typically transmitted through contaminated water or food, especially raw or undercooked shellfish and fish. Person-to-person transmission is rare. Incubation periods range from a few hours to 3 days, with gastric achlorhydria increasing vulnerability. Contagiousness starts 2 to 3 days before symptoms appear, lasting up to 2 weeks after symptoms subside. Some individuals carry the bacteria for several months.

Prevention: Preventive measures include avoiding contaminated water and food, frequent handwashing, and thorough cooking or boiling of food and water. Prophylactic antibiotics like doxycycline, cotrimazole, or erythromycin may be considered for vulnerable individuals. Carrying prescribed antibiotics for use in case of diarrhea is also an option.

Immunization: The cholera vaccine, such as Dukoral™, is recommended for travelers to areas with common cholera occurrence or during epidemics with inadequate sanitary conditions. Administered orally, the vaccine provides protection against cholera and traveler’s diarrhea caused by E. coli. Suitable for adults and children aged 2 and older, the vaccine requires 2 or 3 doses, depending on age. Protection begins about a week after the last dose and lasts for 3 months for E. coli-induced traveler’s diarrhea and up to 2 years for cholera.

Note: Refer to comprehensive travel information for a safe trip.