When I was Diagnosed with Cholera

It was towards the end of the December holidays and the start of school that I developed a sudden and severe stomach ache. I tried out pain killers but they did not seem to have the slightest effect on me. I pondered over and over again on what could have been the cause of my illness and my parents kept on asking me what I had eaten in the past few days but it was impossible for me to pin-point the cause of my suffering.

Early the next day, I had extreme diarrhea, my bowels were completely dry. My parents then contacted our family doctor to find out if he could see me and to my joy, he was in his office waiting for a patient who had an appointment with him. The diagnosis came as an arrow through my heart, my parents' devastation was clear to see. Only a month before my malady, there had been an outbreak of this killer disease in a high school near my home.

I was given two packets of tablets to take thrice a day by the doctor. At the end of the day, I still wasn't feeling well; books came in handy as I was bed ridden. A medical book came to my attention and as I was flipping through the pages, I stumbled upon a page written "why die of cholera". My life did not flash before my eyes but my body froze in utter shock.

It first targeted how cholera spreads. Cholera, is spread by germs taken into the body by the way of the month. Using this fact, everyone can stop its spread even in a community riddled with cholera. If someone's bowels are filled with cholera causing germs, and they are not treated before discharge into the environment, the wells and streams in that area will become infected. Flies, ants, cockroaches, mice and other small animals will then carry the germs on their feet and in their feces. Contamination of food and water, which these animals can get to therefore, must be guarded against if cholera is to be avoided.

I also read that milk and water has to be treated before consumption, dishes and cooking utensils should be cleaned with boiled water. Vegetables and fruits which are eaten raw must be washed in detergent solution and rinsed in boiled water.
Treatment and care of cholera victims is aimed at relieving the distress causing symptoms. A lot of water is lost from the sufferer's body through diarrhea. This is caused by a toxin produced by the cholera bacterium. It is therefore important for the victim to stay hydrated. Always consult a doctor if possible. He would normally give streptomycin or soluble sulfas plus plasma. The patient should be kept in bed and fed on water, solid food should not be given during the acute stages of this disease. Do not allow the patient to become chilled. Apply hot water bottles to the feet and spine.

To prevent others from cholera infection, the following procedures should be followed without exception.

1. Disinfect all the patient's bowel discharges if they cannot be disposed properly.

2. Do not handle contaminated clothes or bedding until it has been disinfected.

3. Prevent all foods and beverages from flies and other insects.

4. Urge everyone who has not been exposed to take a cholera vaccine. It is made by killing the causative bacteria which is then introduced into the body. It offers protection for up to six months after immunization.

With this information, I was confident that my cholera infection would be controlled and I would be up and running by the start of the new school year. Cholera is especially prevalent in environments where the water is not properly treated. The disposal of human waste in this area is also disposed poorly.