Cholera

Cholera is a communicable disease of the intestine caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae, usually spread through contaminated water or food.

• What happens in the body: The bacteria release a toxin in the small intestine that makes the intestine lose a lot of water and salts into the stool.
• Main symptoms: Sudden, watery diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to severe dehydration (dangerous loss of water) very quickly.
• Why it can be serious: Dehydration can cause weakness, sunken eyes, dry mouth, muscle cramps, and low blood pressure. Without quick treatment, it can become life-threatening.
• How it spreads: When drinking water gets mixed with sewage, or when food is handled with unwashed hands, the bacteria can enter another person’s body. This is called the faecal–oral route.
• Treatment idea: The most important step is replacing lost water and salts using ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). In some cases, doctors also give antibiotics.
• Prevention: Safe drinking water (boiled/filtered), clean toilets and proper sewage disposal, washing hands with soap, and eating freshly cooked food help stop cholera from spreading.

Cholera is a good example of how clean water and hygiene can prevent a disease even before any medicine is needed.