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Cholera, the sneaky intruder, arrives via food or water tainted with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Always keep an eye on what you gulp!

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Originating in the Indian subcontinent, with the Ganges River likely serving as the initial reservoir. Cholera has been described in texts that date as far back as ancient Sanskrit manuscripts. However, it was not widely known around the world as it had been primarily confined in one place. It spread as people travelled and migrated along trade routes and waterways. Six pandemics happened one after the other killing millions of people. Today there is still a pandemic going on in 69 different countries with the most impact in Southern Africa and the Middle East.

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water that can have cholera if not boiled

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The disease is transmitted by consuming water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae infects the small intestine where it multiplies and produces a toxin. This toxin triggers the cells lining the intestine to release large amounts of water and salts into the gut. As a result, a person experiences severe watery diarrhea. This then leads to water-ways and is transmitted by others consuming it.

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Got cholera? expect watery diarrhea and vomiting, which can quickly lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, intense thirst, sunken eyes, and sluggishness. Muscle cramps with your body yelling for salts. The fast loss of fluids can cause an increase in heart rate and a drop in blood pressure, which is life-threatening if not treated.

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When cholera gatecrashes , the body fights off the infection. At first, the cells lining the gut sense the bacteria and call in immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. These cells help by attacking the bacteria directly and creating inflammation, to control the infection.

The body also uses other immune cells found in parts of the gut designed to handle germs. These cells can recognize the bacteria and teach the body how to create antibodies. These antibodies can target the cholera bacteria if they try to infect again.

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Cholera throws your body's balance off big time. It causes a big loss of fluids and salts, which are essential for muscle movement, nerve signals, and keeping blood pressure stable. This loss can lead to dehydration and imbalance in body salts. Cholera also leads to severe dehydration, which lowers the amount of blood circulating in the body, reduces blood pressure, and makes it harder for blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to cells. This can damage organs and tissues and can be life-threatening due to shock. Additionally, cholera affects the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients from food, as it speeds up the movement of food and fluids through the digestive system, leading to malnutrition and a lack of important vitamins and minerals, which affects overall health and recovery.

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Treatment mainly involves quickly replacing lost fluids and salts because the disease causes severe diarrhea. This is usually done by drinking Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), a mixture of sugar and salts in water. In tough cases, patients might fluids given through a vein (intravenous fluids). Sometimes use antibiotics like doxycycline, azithromycin, or ciprofloxacin to shorten the illness. zinc supplements also help lessen the diarrhea.

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Cholera zips through water faster than you can say Vibrio cholerae!

Warmer oceans aren't just good for beach days: they're also a paradise for cholera outbreaks.

A simple mix of salt, sugar, and water is your go-to drink for treating cholerae

Preventing the disease l includes drinking clean water, maintaining good sanitation, and practicing proper hygiene.