CHOLERA
What Is Cholera?
This is a disease that spread through contaminated water. In severe cases, immediate treatment is needed because death can occur within few hours.
Modern sewage and water treatment have effectively eliminated cholera in most countries.
Cholera is caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae. It can rapidly lead to dehydration. The deadly effects of the disease are the result of a potent toxin called CTX that the bacteria produce in the small intestine. CTX interferes with the normal flow of sodium and chloride when it binds to your intestinal walls. When the bacteria attaches to the small intestine’s walls, your body begins to secrete large amounts of water that lead to diarrhea and rapid loss of fluids and salts.
Cholera is not usually passed from person to person through casual contact.
Causes of Cholera
- Contaminated water supplies
- Uncooked fruits
- Dirty vegetables and other foods can also contain the bacteria that cause cholera.
Symptoms/Signs of Cholera
- Cholera symptoms and signs include a rapid onset of copious, smelly diarrhea.
- Vomiting
- Wrinkled skin
- Low blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Rapid heart rate
As cholera is highly contagious, you need to take precautions to stop the spread of the infection and get proper treatment. Also, you can use a number of home remedies to help treat the symptoms and promote quick recovery.
How to Diagnose Cholera Cholera is can be diagnosed by patient history and examination of stool for rice-water appearance and presence of V. cholerae-like organisms, this could be diagnosed by isolation and identification of V. cholerae from stool samples.
How to Prevent Cholera
Avoid dairy foods
Cook food well (especially seafood), keep it covered, eat it hot, and peel fruits and vegetables.
Drink and use save water
Use latrines or bury your feces (poop) do not defecate on the ground
Wash your hands often with soap and safe water
Treatment for Cholera
The main treatment for cholera is fluid and electrolyte replacement, both oral and IV. Antibiotics usually are used in severe infections in which dehydration has occurred.
Anyone who has been in a high-risk region within the previous 5 days and develops severe vomiting and diarrhea should seek urgent medical assessment.
Although cholera can be life-threatening, it is easily treated by immediate rehydration, that is, replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea.
Oral rehydration fluid is recommended. This can be obtained from pharmacies.
Patients with severe dehydration or who are unable to keep oral fluids down require hospitalization and intravenous fluid replacement.
Antibiotics shorten the duration of the illness and lessen the severity, but they are not as important as rehydration.
Home Remedies/Home Cure Cholera
Do consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Use home remedies just as an adjunct treatment.
1. Increase Fluid Intake
The first step in treating cholera should be rehydration. This is because due to diarrhea, there is a high chance of becoming dehydrated which could worsen the condition
So, drink a lots of pure bottle water to keep your body hydrated or water purified with iodine or chlorine, better still boil your water before drinking it.You can also drink coconut water, buttermilk, herbal tea or orange juice throughout the day.
2. ORS
Prompt restoration of lost fluids and salts through oral rehydration solution (ORS) can help reduce the intensity of symptoms and aid quick recovery. You can use ORS approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) that are readily available in the market. You can also make ORS at home.ORS Home Remedy for Cholera
Mix ½ small spoon of salt and 6 small spoons of sugar in 1 liter or 4 cups of clean water.
Drink this as many times as possible until you recover completely.
3. Yogurt
Probiotic yogurt is also effective in curing cholera. It contains healthy bacteria that promote digestion and help fight off the bacteria causing cholera. Plus, probiotic yogurt is immune booster. Drink 2 to 3 small glass cups of plain probiotic yogurt daily until you get relief.
4. Ginger
Being a natural antibiotic, ginger helps fight infection and cure cholera. It can also help get rid of diarrhea, stomach cramps and abdominal pain. Grate a small piece of ginger and mix it with 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink the mixture to improve your digestive process. You can make a ginger tea and add one table spoon of honey
Note: Avoid ginger if you are taking blood thinners.
5. Lemon
Lemon is also helpful in treating cholera due to its antibacterial property. It can help destroy the harmful bacteria in the intestines and digestive system that cause cholera. Plus, the vitamin C in lemon boosts the immune system to speed up recovery.
Mix the juice of ½ lemons in a glass of water.
Add a little honey and salt, and stir well.
Drink it at regular intervals until you recover completely.
6. Zinc Supplements
Zinc has more than 200 human enzymes that help fight off the infection and boost the immune system.WHO and UNICEF recommend 10 to 20 mg of zinc per day for children with diarrhea due to cholera. Also, include foods high in zinc like spinach, brown rice, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, lentils and garlic in your diet.
