Cholera Flashcards
What pathogen causes cholera?
Vibrio cholerae
What pathogen causes cholera?
Vibrio cholerae
What is the method of transmission of Cholera?
Food borne, water borne
What is the global distribution of cholera?
Asia, Africa and Latin America
What is the incubation period of cholera ?
Two hours to 5 days
What is the site of action of the pathogen of cholera?
Wall of small intestine
What are the clinical features of cholera?
Severe diarrhoea(‘rice water’), loss of water and salts, dehydration, weakness
What are the methods of diagnosis of cholera?
Dipstick test of rectal swabs; identification of V. cholerae in faecal samples using microscopy
What was the annual incident worldwide of cholera in 2017?
1,300,000 to 4,000,000 (WHO estimate)
What was the annual mortality worldwide in 2017?
21,000 to 143,000 (WHO estimate)
Where does cholera commonly occur?
As the disease is water borne, cholera occurs people do not have access to proper sanitation (clean water supply) and/or uncontaminated food
3/4 of people with cholera may be
Symptomless
How are the cholera bacteria transmitted to uninfected people
Infected people pass out large numbers of bacteria in their feaces. if these contaminate the water supply or the infected people handle food or cooking utensils without washing their hands then bacteria are transmitted to uninfected people
Why are the pathogen that causes cholera unlikely to reach small intestine?
Because to reach their site of action, they have to pass through the stomach. The contents are sufficiently acidic (pH less than 4.5), the bacteria are unlikely to survive.
What happens when the pathogen of cholera reach small intestine?
The multiply and secrete the toxin choleragen
What does choleragen do in the small intestine?
It disrupts the functions of the epithelium lining the intestine so that salts and water leave the blood. The loss of salts and water causes severe diarrhoea.
The loss of salts and water due to the pathogens of cholera can be fatal if not
Treated within 24 hours
______ with cholera who are treated make a quick recovery
Almost all people
A death from cholera is an ___________ death
Avoidable
How is cholera treated?
It can be treated by solution of salts and glucose. if the patient can drink, they are given oral rehydration therapy. If not then the solution is given intravenously to rehydrate the body.
Why is glucose effective in treatment of cholera?
Because it is absorbed into the blood and this is linked to the uptake of sodium and potassium ions.
What is one thing important to take care of when treating a person with cholera ?
It is important to make sure that a patient’s fluid intake is equal to fluid losses in urine and faeces, and to maintain the osmotic balance of the blood and tissue fluids.
What are common causes of cholera?
The use of raw human sewage to irrigate vegetables
Inadequate cooking or washing in contaminated water
Why is cholera now almost Unkown in the developed world?
It is so as a result of sewage treatment and the provision of clean piped water which is chlorinated to kill bacteria. The transmission cycle is broken.
When do health authorities fear outbreaks of cholera?
After natural disasters
What vaccine is used in mass vaccination programs in Africa during epidemics to prevent the spread of cholera?
An oral vaccine that gives short-term protection. It is available for people travelling to places where there is transmission of V. Cholerae
