Cholera Disease Overview

Cholera is a diarrheal epidemic disease. Cholera is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria that infect our intestines. It is also known as the blue death disease as severe dehydration happens due to this it gives our body a blue-grey tone. The symptoms of cholera include nausea, vomiting, thirst, and muscle cramps.

It is estimated that around 1.3 to 4 million people are affected by cholera each year and around 21000 to 150000 people die from it due to severe causes. This is why understanding the cholera causes, symptoms and prevention is crucial for well-being. In this article, we will cover, cholera disease in detail.

Cholera Disease

Cholera disease is majorly caused by a bacteria known as Vibrio cholerae. It is a comma-shaped curved and gram-negative bacteria that can be found in coastal saltwater and mostly in sewage. The cholera disease occurs when the bacteria produce toxins or more specifically the cholera toxin (CT) in our body. The bacteria can be transmitted with contaminated foods and water causing many problems like diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and dehydration.

Here is the biological classification of the cholera bacteria:

Biological Classification Of “Vibrio cholerae“
Domain	Bacteria
Phylum	Proteobacteria
Class	Gammaproteobacteria
Order	Vibrionales
Family	Vibrionaceae
Genus	Vibrio
Species	cholerae

Causes of Cholera Disease

Cholera disease particularly happens when we intake food or drinks contaminated by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. After entering in our body, this bacteria creates the Cholera toxin (CT) in our body. Here are some major Causes of Cholera Disease as mentioned below.

• The cholera disease may caused by the contaminated water supply. The contaminated water works as a medium that carries the bacteria in our bodies. Unprocessed sewage water may also cause cholera disease.
• The bacteria can be transmitted through the vegetables when the cultivators use the water with human waste.
• Vibrio cholerae can be transmitted to our body with the sea foods as the coastal saltwater is the place where these bacterias can be found. 
• Eating raw and undercooked shellfish and seafoods may increase the chance of the disease as they are naturally contaminated substances.

Read More: Sewage Treatment Plant and Process

Symptoms of Cholera Disease

Here are some symptoms of cholera disease as mentioned below. To understand the symptoms in better way, we have divided them into two categories including Major Symptoms and Minor Symptoms.

Major Symptomps Of Cholera Disease

Here are the major symptomps of cholera disease as mentioned below.

• Watery Diarrhea – It is a major symptom of cholera. At this time the symptom appears suddenly in a large amount. This diarrhea may have a pale or milky appearance.
• Vomiting – It is the early and major symptom of cholera. The vomiting can last around an hour.
• Dehydration – It is a mild to severe symptom that can cause loss of body weight and lead to severe dehydration. 
• Abdomen Pain and Leg Cramps – In colera abdomen pain and leg cramps are very common.
• Irregular Heartbeat or Arrhythmia – It is also a major symptom of cholera when the heart rhythm becomes irregular and bead too slow or fast.

Read More: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Minor Symptomps Of Cholera Disease

Here are the minor symptomps of cholera disease as mentioned below.

• Thirst
• Restlessness or irritability
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Dry, shriveled skin
• Low urine output
• Lack of tears

Read More: Mechanism of Urine Formation

Treatment of Cholera Disease

Here are some treatment procedure of cholera disease as mentioned below.

• The primary process of cholera treatment is ORT. ORT is oral or intravenous rehydration therapy that restores the fluids and salts in our body. 
• As per the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), we can use ORS in one liter of clean water. For adults, six liters of ORS are needed to restore the fluids and salts in the body. ORS reduces the duration of watery diarrhea. 
• Antibiotics are not necessary in the early stage but for severe patients, it is needed. 
• Doctors prescribe different antibiotics and zinc supplements to cure cholera patients. Zinc supplements can be helpful for children. 

Read More: Antimicrobial Resistance and their Effects

Prevention of Cholera Disease

Here are some preventive measures od the of the cholera disease as mentioned below. 

• We need to drink and use clean water or boiled water to prevent cholera disease.
• Every time wash your hands with soap and clean water before preparing the food and having the food.
• We need to avoid consuming raw and undercooked foods as much as we can. 
• We need to wash the vegetables with hot water before cooking the food.
• Drink more water to stay hydrated. It is recommended that an adult should drink around 8 ounces of water per day.

Is There Any Cholera Vaccine?

Yes, there is a vaccine available to prevent cholera. It’s called the cholera vaccine. This vaccine helps protect against infection by Vibrio cholerae. The vaccine works by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that fight against the cholera bacteria. There are different types of cholera vaccines available, including oral vaccines and injectable vaccines. These vaccines are often recommended for individuals traveling to areas where cholera is endemic or during outbreaks to help prevent the spread of the disease. This vaccination may be recommended for individuals at high risk of exposure, such as healthcare workers in cholera-affected regions.

Conclusion – Cholera

In conclusion, cholera disease is primarily caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease occurs when the bacteria produce toxins, particularly the cholera toxin (CT), leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and dehydration. Cholera can spread through contaminated water and food, including seafood and vegetables grown with contaminated water. Recognizing the symptoms, which range from watery diarrhea to irregular heartbeat, is crucial for timely treatment. Treatment typically involves oral or intravenous rehydration therapy, antibiotics for severe cases, and zinc supplements for children. Preventive measures such as drinking clean water, practicing good hygiene, avoiding raw foods, and staying hydrated are essential in cholera prevention.

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• Types of Diseases
• Common Diseases In Humans
• Bacterial Diseases in Humans
• Non-communicable Diseases
• Disease Causing By Microorganisms in Animals and in Plants
• Food poisoning – Symptoms, Treatment, Causes of Food Poisoning

FAQs – Cholera

How is Cholera Transmitted?

The cholera bacteria is passed through feces. It is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person.

What was Cholera Caused by?

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria.

How is Cholera Treated?

Oral or intravenous hydration is the primary treatment for cholera. In conjunction with hydration, treatment with antibiotics is recommended for severely ill patients.

Is there a Vaccine for Cholera?

Vaxchora (lyophilized CVD 103-HgR) is a single-dose, oral vaccine FDA-approved in the United States for use in people aged 2–64 who are traveling to an area of active cholera transmission.

Why is Cholera called the Blue Death?

The effects of cholera were nearly instantaneous; vomiting, diarrhea and death by dehydration. Because the severe dehydration caused the body to take on a desiccated blue-gray tone it was called the “Blue Death.”

What are 3 Ways to Prevent Cholera?

The three ways to prevent cholera are – drinking clean or boiled water, practice good hygiene, including washing hands before preparing and consuming food, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods.

Is Cholera Contagious?

Yes, cholera is contagious. It can spread through contaminated water and food, as well as from person to person in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.