Cholera
Cholera is a bacterial infection of the gut that causes sudden, severe watery diarrhoea. It spreads through water or food contaminated with stool, especially after floods or where sanitation is poor. Cholera can cause dangerous dehydration within hours, but almost everyone survives if fluids are replaced quickly.
Symptoms
- Sudden, large amounts of watery diarrhoea, often pale like rice water
- Vomiting
- Intense thirst
- Dry mouth and sunken eyes
- Little or no urine
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness, dizziness or fainting
Causes
- Vibrio cholerae bacteria
- Drinking unsafe water from wells, rivers or broken pipes
- Eating raw or undercooked food washed in contaminated water
- Poor sanitation and open defecation
- Floods and crowded camps
Prevention
- Drink only boiled, chlorinated or bottled water
- Wash hands with soap after the toilet, before cooking and before feeding children
- Eat food that is cooked and still hot
- Use latrines and keep them away from water sources
- Oral cholera vaccine during outbreaks
Treatment
- Start oral rehydration solution (ORS) immediately and keep drinking after every loose stool
- Keep breastfeeding babies
- Severe dehydration needs intravenous fluids at a health facility
- A doctor may give antibiotics in severe cases
- Zinc for children with diarrhoea, as advised by a health worker
- Do not start antibiotics or other prescription medicines without a doctor
Common questions
How do I make ORS at home if I do not have a packet?
ORS packets are best. If you have none, mix 6 level teaspoons of sugar and half a level teaspoon of salt in 1 litre of clean, boiled and cooled water, and go to a clinic as soon as possible.
Should I stop feeding a person with cholera?
No. Give food as soon as the person can eat, and keep breastfeeding babies. Food helps the body recover.