Cholera
Jessica, Taylor, and Ally
Cause of the disease:
Eating food or drinking water contaminated with bacterium called vibrio cholerae.
How is the disease transmitted?
You can get this disease in only two ways. Eating or drinking after a person who is affected with the disease. If an object is affected already and you drink from it or eat it you are able to get the disease. This disease can kill within hours. 3-5 million cases are named each year.
Hydration
Fluids are important.
Hospitalization
Zimbabwe patients infected with cholera.
Stop Cholera
Campaigns trying to prevent the spread of the disease.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Acute watery diarrhoea, severe dehydration, and vomiting are all signs of cholera. Symptoms are mild to moderate for most, but in some cases they are deadly. They can appear within a few hours to within a few days.
How is the disease treated?
Replacement of fluids by mouth or IV is critical. Antibiotics can also be prescribed. No vaccine is available in the U.S legally as of right now.
Ways to prevent yourself from getting it.
Getting vaccines can help, but they're not recommended because it only works for a couple of months. Use disinfected water and avoiding raw and uncooked foods. Also, don't use unpeeled fruits and unpasteurized milk products.
Four interesting Facts About Cholera
- Estimated 3-5 million cases and 100,000-120,000 deaths every year.
- Rare in the U.S and other industrialized nations.
- 80% of cases can be successfully treated with rehydration salts.
- Can kill if left untreated within a few hours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG1VNSCsPS5Q
Paul Farmer
The biggest public health challenge is rebuilding health systems. In other words, if you look at cholera or maternal mortality or tuberculosis in Haiti, they're major problems in Haiti, but the biggest problem is rebuilding systems.