Cholera and related vibroses

Revision as of 23:49, 8 August 2012 by WikiBot (talk | contribs) (Bot: Automated text replacement (-{{SIB}} + & -{{EH}} + & -{{EJ}} + & -{{Editor Help}} + & -{{Editor Join}} +))
Jump to navigation Jump to search

WikiDoc Resources for Cholera and related vibroses

Articles

Most recent articles on Cholera and related vibroses

Most cited articles on Cholera and related vibroses

Review articles on Cholera and related vibroses

Articles on Cholera and related vibroses in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Cholera and related vibroses

Images of Cholera and related vibroses

Photos of Cholera and related vibroses

Podcasts & MP3s on Cholera and related vibroses

Videos on Cholera and related vibroses

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Cholera and related vibroses

Bandolier on Cholera and related vibroses

TRIP on Cholera and related vibroses

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Cholera and related vibroses at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Cholera and related vibroses

Clinical Trials on Cholera and related vibroses at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Cholera and related vibroses

NICE Guidance on Cholera and related vibroses

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Cholera and related vibroses

CDC on Cholera and related vibroses

Books

Books on Cholera and related vibroses

News

Cholera and related vibroses in the news

Be alerted to news on Cholera and related vibroses

News trends on Cholera and related vibroses

Commentary

Blogs on Cholera and related vibroses

Definitions

Definitions of Cholera and related vibroses

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Cholera and related vibroses

Discussion groups on Cholera and related vibroses

Patient Handouts on Cholera and related vibroses

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cholera and related vibroses

Risk calculators and risk factors for Cholera and related vibroses

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Cholera and related vibroses

Causes & Risk Factors for Cholera and related vibroses

Diagnostic studies for Cholera and related vibroses

Treatment of Cholera and related vibroses

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Cholera and related vibroses

International

Cholera and related vibroses en Espanol

Cholera and related vibroses en Francais

Business

Cholera and related vibroses in the Marketplace

Patents on Cholera and related vibroses

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Cholera and related vibroses


Overview

Cholera Bacteria

The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Approximately one in 20 infected persons has severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

Epidemiology and Demographics

There are 0-5 cases per year in the United States. A major cause of epidemic diarrhea throughout the developing world. Ongoing global pandemic in Asia, Africa and Latin America for the last four decades.

  • 25-50% of typical cases are fatal if untreated.

In January 1991, epidemic cholera appeared in South America and quickly spread to several countries. A few cases have occurred in the United States among persons who traveled to South America or ate contaminated food brought back by travelers.

Cholera has been very rare in industrialized nations for the last 100 years; however, the disease is still common today in other parts of the world, including the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.

Predicting how long a Cholera epidemic will last is difficult. The cholera epidemic in Africa has lasted more than 30 years. In areas with inadequate sanitation, a cholera epidemic cannot be stopped immediately, and, although far fewer cases have been reported from Latin America and Asia in recent years, there are no signs that the global Cholera pandemic will end soon. Major improvements in sewage and water treatment systems are needed in many countries to prevent future epidemic cholera.

In the United States, cholera was prevalent in the 1800s but has been virtually eliminated by modern sewage and water treatment systems. However, as a result of improved transportation, more persons from the United States travel to parts of Africa, Asia, or Latin America where epidemic cholera is occurring . U.S. travelers to areas with epidemic cholera may be exposed to the cholera bacterium.

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_t.htm

Risk Factors

Virtually none in the United States. Risk extremely low (1 per million) even in travelers. Persons living in poverty in the developing world.

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_t.htm

Screening

References

Pathophysiology & Etiology

Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 or O139 that produces cholera toxin.

A person may get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. Occasionally transmitted through eating raw or undercooked shellfish that are naturally contaminated.

The cholera bacterium may also live in the environment in brackish rivers and coastal waters. Shellfish eaten raw have been a source of cholera, and a few persons in the United States have contracted cholera after eating raw or undercooked shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill.

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_t.htm

Molecular Biology

References

Genetics

References

Natural History

References

Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

References

History and Symptoms

References

Physical Examination

Appearance of the Patient

Vital Signs

Skin

Eyes

Ear Nose and Throat

Heart

Lungs

Abdomen

Extremities

Neurologic

Other

References

Laboratory Findings

Electrolyte and Biomarker Studies

References

Other Diagnostic Studies

References

Risk Stratification and Prognosis

References

Treatment

Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea. Patients can be treated with oral rehydration solution, a prepackaged mixture of sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in large amounts. This solution is used throughout the world to treat diarrhea. Severe cases also require intravenous fluid replacement. With prompt rehydration, fewer than 1% of cholera patients die.

Antibiotics shorten the course and diminish the severity of the illness, but they are not as important as rehydration. Persons who develop severe diarrhea and vomiting in countries where cholera occurs should seek medical attention promptly.


Is a vaccine available to prevent cholera?

A recently developed oral vaccine for cholera is licensed and available in other countries (Dukoral from SBL Vaccines). The vaccine appears to provide somewhat better immunity and have fewer adverse effects than the previously available vaccine. However, CDC does not recommend cholera vaccines for most travelers, nor is the vaccine available in the United States.

Pharmacotherapy

Acute Pharmacotherapies

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm

Primary Prevention

The risk for cholera is very low for U.S. travelers visiting areas with epidemic cholera. When simple precautions are observed, contracting the disease is unlikely.

All travelers to areas where cholera has occured should observe the following recommendations:

  • Drink only water that you have boiled or treated with chlorine or iodine. Other safe beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled water and carbonated, bottled beverages with no ice.
  • Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.
  • Avoid undercooked or raw fish or shellfish, including ceviche.
  • Make sure all vegetables are cooked avoid salads.
  • Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors.
  • Do not bring perishable seafood back to the United States.

A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. "

References

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/cholera_g.htm


Future or Investigational Therapies

References

"The Way I Like To Do It ..." Tips and Tricks From Clinicians Around The World

Suggested Revisions to the Current Guidelines

References

<biblio>

</biblio>

Acknowledgements

The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.

List of contributors:

Suggested Reading and Key General References

Suggested Links and Web Resources

For Patients



Template:WS