Cholera Infection Symptoms: Causes, Home Remedies And Prevention

Posted on June 16, 2010 by PUP in Health FAQ 2

Question: What are the symptoms, cure, prevention and causes of cholera?

Answer: Cholera is an acute infection of gasterointestinal tract caused due to contaminated food and water by comma shaped bacterial organisms called vibrio cholerae. It is the most feared diarrheal disease due to its severity and acuteness of the symptoms.

Cholera is more common in developing countries; it can be sporadic, endemic, epidemic or pandemic.Route of transmission is through water and food products. That is feco-oral transmission.

The dose of vibrio cholerae required to produce the illness depends on individual susceptibility. The level of acidity in the stomach (the vibrio is destroyed at pH < 4.5) and immunity produced by prior infection.

Breast -fed infants are protected by antibodies in the mother’s milk.

Cause Of Cholera Infection

  • Causative organism is vibrio cholera.
  • Poor hygiene.
  • Eating raw and uncooked food.
  • Deficient secretion of hydrochloric acid may cause increased susceptibility of the disease.
  • Drinking contaminated water.

Signs And Symptoms Of Cholera

The incubation period is usually 2-3 days. Mild cholera is clinically indistinguishable from diarrhea caused by other infections like shigella, salmonella, and toxin producing strains of E. coli. The characteristic symptoms are,

  • Rice water appearance of stools.
  • Abrupt voluminous diarrhea and copious vomiting.
  • Abdominal cramps.
  • Dehydration.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Stools has faintly sweet or fishy odor.
  • Dry mouth,  dry skin, excessive thirst.
  • Fast and thready pulse.
  • Leg cramps.
  • Sunken eyes, cold extremities.
  • Extreme weakness.
  • Profuse vomiting.

If the fluid loss is not compensated immediately mortality rate can exceed 50 %. The important cause of death is hypovolaemic shock, uncompensated metabolic acidosis and renal failure due to acute tubular necrosis.

Diagnosis can be ascertained by examining the stool for live vibrio cholerae bacteria, and from the history of the illness.

Treatment Of Cholera

  • Treatment should be started as rapidly as possible to prevent shock. About 80 to 90 % of the patients can be treated with oral rehydration salt solution alone.
  • Small quantities of water or ice maybe sucked as it restricts tendency of vomiting and reduces internal temperature.
  • Saline solution must be infused intravenously to compensate loss of fluids and salts from the body.
  • Barley water, tender coconut water in thin forms, gradually buttermilk and soft curd rice can be given.
  • Remember to include mint, green chilly, vinegar, lemon and onion in daily diet during an epidemic of cholera.

Home Remedies For Cholera

  • A teaspoon of fresh drumstick leaf juice mixed with honey and a glass of tender coconut water can be given 2-3 times a day.
  • Conserve of peach leaves and flowers are beneficial.
  • The juice of lemon can effectively treat cholera. Daily intake can be used as a preventive measure.
  • Fresh bitter gourd juice is very effective in treating cholera in initial stages. Give 2 teaspoons of bitter gourd juice mixed with equal quantity of onion juice and 1 teaspoon of lime juice.
  • Give the patient finely pounded onion and black peppers.
  • A glass of cucumber juice and coconut water quenches the thirst during cholera
  • The concentrated decoction of root bark of guava arrests vomiting and symptoms of diarrhea.

Preventive Measures For Cholera Infection

Cholera can occur where there is inadequate water supply, improper sanitation and hygiene in terms of food and water as cholera is spread by contaminated water and food.

  • Hands should be kept clean, contaminated water should be boiled well before using it for drinking and cooking.
  • All foodstuffs should be covered, avoid uncooked vegetables, and under cooked and raw fish.
  • Fruits should be washed with a solution of potassium permanganate before consumption.
  • Vaccination is necessary if a person is traveling to a crowded place.

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