Cholera

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[edit] Cholera

This bacterial gastroenteritis has caused major epidemics in the past following natural disasters or wars and still does so in our time. The bacterium Vibrio cholerae can be cultured from stool samples of the infected person. About 1 in 20 infected persons has severe symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. If untreated it will lead to dehydration, septicemia and death within only a few hours.

Early treatment with the appropriate antibiotic, based on culture and sensitivity results, stops the diarrhea within 2 days and reduces the stool volumes to about half. Intravenous fluids in a hospital setting are often required for the more severe cases. Several agents are effective such as doxycycline ( Vibra-Tabs), tetracycline, erythromycin (Ery-Tab,PCE,Eryc,Erythromid), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), furazolidone(Furoxone) and sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim( Bactrim, Sulfatrim, Septra). Brand names here are listed in brackets, the generic names in the text.

There is a vaccine available that is used by persons in high risk areas such as in soldiers or rescue workers. Otherwise the emphasis is on separating the source of drinking water from the sewage disposal system. Since the introduction of modern sewage systems in the 1800's cholera has disappeared in the US and Europe. However, after wars or floods when these systems break down and drinking water gets contaminated, outbreaks of cholera are not uncommon. Here is a list of precautions (click on 4th line of questions) for US travelers going to areas where cholera is endemic.

Note that infections do not get spread from person to person, but more likely come from consuming contaminated uncooked seafood or consuming contaminated drinking water.

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Traveler's diarrhea

Gastroenteritis and food poisoning