DYNAMIC HEALTH LINK : What is cholera disease ? HOW CAN AVOID INFECTION ?

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that affects the absorption of water in the small intestine.
In severe cases it produces violent diarrhoea within only a few days. The dangerous aspect of cholera is the vast loss of fluid that can occur in a short space of time. It is particularly dangerous in children in developing countries.
If untreated, the loss of fluid can be fatal within 24 hours of developing the disease. On the other hand, treatment is simple: replace the fluid with the right mix of sugar and salts - water alone is not adequately absorbed.
However, bad cases do require admission to hospital where fluids can be administered straight into the bloodstream via a drip.
Cholera is not really a tropical disease, but is related to standards of hygiene and the quality of drinking water. It was a single well in London in the 1850-60s that was the source of several separate cholera epidemics.
John Snow is regarded as a father of public health by his simple but brilliant removal of the handle to the Broad Street water pump!
Improved sanitation and hygiene are still the basic foundation of the fight against cholera in those countries where it occurs.

What causes cholera?
Cholera is caused by a specific bacterium, Vibrio cholerae.
When an adequate quantity of the bacteria has passed into the stomach in food they accumulate and begin to produce poisonous substances (toxins). It is the toxin that causes the symptoms of the disease.
The cholera toxin has the unpleasant ability to affect the cells of the gastrointestinal tract so that the affected person doesn't just get ordinary diarrhoea, but also starts to lose very large quantities of fluid. It is this fluid loss that can be very serious.

How can you avoid infection?

* Only drink boiled water or water that has been sterilised or treated in another way. Hot coffee and tea, fizzy water and other uncontaminated bottled drinks are usually safe enough to drink.
* Boil unpasteurised milk before you drink it.
* Avoid ice cubes in drinks, unless you can be sure they were made from 'safe water'! Ice cream from doubtful sources may also be contaminated.
* Food must be properly prepared and still hot when it is served. If it is allowed to stand at room temperature for several hours other bacteria such as Escherichia coli may develop.
* Avoid raw fish and shellfish.
* Avoid raw fruit and vegetables, unless you peel it yourself.
* Be careful eating food from street stalls. If you have to eat this type of food, think carefully about its preparation. Make sure it doesn't contain anything that hasn't been properly prepared.