CHOLERA
Cholera is defined as an acute diarrhea infection caused by ingestion of food or water
contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Incubation period, ranges between 2 hours and five days.
The main symptom that differentiates the stool in cholera to the other diarrheal diseases is that
cholera stool has a rice water appearance and may be greyish is color with some materials.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
Severe abdominal pains
Sunken eyes
Dry skin
Muscle cramps
Rapid weight loss
Scanty urine
Excessive thirst
General bodily weakness
Fever
SIGNS OF SEVERE DEHYDRATION
Dry skin
Dry mouth, lips, eyes and skin
Sunken eyes
Excessive thirst
Passing cola colored urine
Lethargy
Crying without tears in children
Production of scanty urine (Oliguria)
Reduced skin turgor (skin pinched goes back slowly)
TREATMENT
Administer prescribed medications, and intravenous fluid hydration e.g. antibiotics like
tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, furazolidone, ampicillin
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) therapy is also instituted
Maintain a proper personal hygiene
Practice decontamination
NURSING ASSESSMENT
Assess for dehydration.
Observe for diarrhea
Assess the level of knowledge of the family
NURSING CARE
Reassure patient
Isolate patient
Provide a cholera bed and disinfect bucket after changing
Serve prescribed medications
Proper handwashing
Present a vomitus bowl with disinfectant
Monitor vital signs regularly
Observe and record all the amounts of fluid intakes and outputs e.g. urine
Assist patient to maintain good personal hygiene
Wear gloves, face mask or an apron
Soiled linen must be duly decontaminated and washed properly
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Prevention is based on
Water purification
Good sanitation and waste disposal methods
Food hygiene
1. Notification of the public and public health authorities to prevent the spread of the
disease
2. In endemic areas, all patients with persistent diarrhea have to be treated as potential
cholera cases
3. Tracing and treatment of all carriers until rectal swab is negative
4. Prevent contamination of drinking water
5. Water purification methods should be enhanced
6. Adequate sanitation and sewage disposal
7. Good personal hygiene practices
8. Prevent breeding of flies
9. Prepare foods under hygienic conditions
10. Ensure the dead are removed and buried immediately
11. Avoid mass eating
COMPLICATIONS
Severe dehydration
Renal failure
Pressure sores
Death
