Cholera Flashcards
What is cholera?
An acute diarrhoeal disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacterium Vivrio cholerae
Which bacterium causes cholera?
Vivrio cholerae
Who does cholera primarily affect?
People in resource-limited settings where there is inadequate access to clean water sources.
What parts of the world has cholera related deaths been recorded?
Parts of East Africa, Middle East, Central and South East Asia.
How severe is cholera?
Often is asymptomatic or mild, however 1 in 10 develop severe disease
How is severe cases of cholera characterised?
Sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhoea and vomiting.
What are the complications of cholera in its severe disease state?
Rapid loss of body fluids leading to severe dehydration.
If left untreated can cause shock, coma or death.
What is the incubation period of cholera?
Typically 2-5 days but may be a few hours
What advice is given to travellers who might encounter cholera?
Food and water hygiene precautions may be enough to prevent infection.
Vaccination recommended for travellers to areas where cholera is present, and where access to safe water and medical is limited.
What can cholera be misdiagnosed for?
Traveller’s Diarrhoea, due to common clinical syndromes and seasonalities.
Enterotoxigenic Excherichia coli (ETEC)
A type of E.coli which is the leading cause of traveller’s diarrhoea. It is a major cause for diarrhoeal disease in lower-income countries.
How many cholera vaccines are available in the UK?
Two
- Dukoral
- Vaxchora
What is the minimum age for Dukoral and Vaxchora vaccines?
≥2 years
What is the vaccine schedule for Dukoral for ≥2-6 years?
2 doses
1 week apart
(maximum interval of 6 weeks)
What is the vaccine schedule for Dukoral in those ≥6 years?
3 doses
1 week apart
(maximum interval of 6 weeks)
What is the vaccine schedule for Vaxchora?
1 dose in those ≥2 years
