Cholera is an illness that is accompanied by extreme diarrhoea. Even though cholera does not exist in the UK, there are slim chances of getting into contact with it in other regions of the planet. It’s paramount that you get the cholera vaccination in Tamworth before you travel.
Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that comes with cholera, can mostly be found in food or water that has come into contact with faeces from someone who contracted the illness. Common sources are:
– Municipal water supply
– Ice made using municipal water
– Drinks and foods sold by vendors along the streets
– Raw or undercooked seafood and fish found in contaminated waters
– Vegetables irrigated with polluted water
When someone drinks contaminated water or food, the bacteria produce toxins into the intestines, leading to severe diarrhoea.
There are very slim chances of coming into contact with cholera while travelling. The infection is mostly found in locations with no supply of clean water or without a proper sewage system, such as some areas of Asia and Africa.
It can take just a few hours or up to five days after getting into contact with cholera for the symptoms to show. The symptoms are mild in most cases. However, a few cases can turn out to be severe. One out of twenty people that come into contact with cholera experience extreme symptoms. These include severe watery diarrhoea, as well as vomiting, which quickly leads to dehydration. Even though most persons infected don’t show any serious symptoms, they can still spread the infection to other people at higher risk.
Good hygiene will go a long way in keeping you safe from cholera during your trips.
– Try cleaning your hands on a regular basis with water and soap, especially after going to the washrooms or before making food and eating
– Use only boiled tap water or bottled water
– Use boiled or bottled water when brushing your teeth
If you witness severe diarrhoea and vomiting, especially in places where cholera cases are common or after having raw seafood, you should contact a medical practitioner with immediate effect. It’s vital that you get immediate treatment if you notice any cholera symptoms due to the dehydration that comes with it.
Hydration is the most important part of cholera treatment. The treatment involves either oral or intravenous solutions, or both, to replace the fluids that have been lost as a result of diarrhoea. All these depend on how severe the symptoms are. Antibiotics are normally not used as a treatment in emergency cases where there are no severe symptoms. However, they can reduce the production of toxins by the bacteria as well as reduce the time of diarrhoea by half, which will reduce the spreading of the disease.
Learn more about the cholera vaccination in Tamworth here:
Most people are not in need of the cholera vaccine even though it’s available. It’s mostly recommended if:
– You are travelling to places where cholera is widespread or going to remote areas where there will be no access to medical services
– You are an aid provider or relief care worker going to places where a cholera outbreak is very likely
The vaccine is given as a drink. Adults get two doses (given in a period of 1 to 6 weeks apart); it can offer protection for up to two years.
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This blog post was written on behalf of The Travel Health Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.
