Causative agent

Vibrio cholerae causes cholera. They are short gram negative bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms

Sudden onset of diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting and Mild to severe dehydration

Diagnosis

Culture test the best method of identification

Treatment

1. Oral or intravenous hydration is the primary treatment for cholera.

2. In conjunction with hydration, treatment with antibiotics is recommended for severely ill patients. It is also recommended for patients who have severe or some dehydration and continues to pass a large volume of stool during rehydration treatment. Antibiotic treatment is also recommended for all pregnant women and patients with comorbidities (e.g., severe acute malnutrition, HIV infection).

3. Antibiotics are given as soon as the patient can tolerate oral medication. The choice of antibiotic should be informed by local antibiotic susceptibility patterns. In most countries, doxycycline is recommended as first-line treatment for adults (including pregnant women) and children. If resistance to doxycycline is documented, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin are alternative options.

Prevention

1. Report all suspected cases to ministry of health

2. Flies should not be allowed to have access to food

3. Water for drinking should come from clean treated Supply or be boiled

4. Good personal and environmental hygiene should be practised all the time

5. Health workers who attended to patients should use gloves

6. Cholera vaccines should be administered to patients

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. Once Salmonella Typhi bacteria are eaten or drunk, they multiply and spread into the bloodstream.

Incubation Period

The incubation period is usually 1-2 weeks, and the duration of the illness is about 4-6 weeks.

Signs and symptoms

Poor appetite, Abdominal pain, Headaches, Generalized aches and pains and weakness, High fever, often up to 104 f, Lethargy (usually only if untreated), Intestinal bleeding or perforation (after 2-3 weeks of the disease), Cough, Diarrhea and Constipation

Diagnosis

1. Patient’s history

2. Culture test

Mode of transmission

Fecal-oral route, Urine-oral route, Eating or drinking contaminated water and food

Treatment

The only effective treatment for typhoid is antibiotics. The most commonly used are ciprofloxacin (for non-pregnant adults) and ceftriaxone.

Other than antibiotics, it is important to rehydrate by drinking adequate water.

In more severe cases, where the bowel has become perforated, surgery may be required.

Prevention

1. Wash your hands. Frequent hand-washing in hot, soapy water is the best way to control infection.

2. Avoid drinking untreated water. Contaminated drinking water is a particular problem in areas where typhoid fever is endemic.

3. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables.

4. Choose hot foods. Avoid food that's stored or served at room temperature.

Virology

Influenza Virus

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Symptoms

Fever or feeling feverish/chills, Cough, Sore throat, Runny or stuffy nose, Muscle or body aches, Headaches, Fatigue (very tired)

Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Transmission

Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose. It is possible to spread the virus without knowing you are sick. 

Prevention

An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

Treatment

Usually, you'll need nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. However if the case is serious enough your doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs that can be used to treat the flu. 

Mumps

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus.  An outbreak is considered three confirmed cases and can occur at any time of the year, but often occurs in the winter and spring.

Mumps can occur at any time of the year, so please educate yourself about mumps by reading the information below.

Symptoms

Swelling and tenderness in front of and below one or both ears and along the jaw, Pain along the jaw and in front of and below one or both ears, Fever, Tiredness, Muscle aches, Loss of appetite and Most people recover completely in a few weeks. People who do not have swelling may still spread the virus to others.

Transmission

1. Mumps is spread through indirect or direct contact with an infected person’s nose or throat droplets.

2. It can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes or shares drinks or eating utensils.

3. People with mumps can spread it for up to 2 days before and 5 days after the start of symptoms. Anyone with mumps should stay home during that time to prevent giving the illness to others.

4. Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection.

Prevention

The MMR vaccine is safe and prevents mumps at the rate of 88 percent on average after two doses.

Other ways to stay healthy and prevent spreading the illness;

1. Check your immunization records to ensure that you’ve had two doses of MMR

2. Practice good hygiene habits: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water; sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow; and avoid sharing drinks, food, and utensils.

3. Avoid sick people

4. Take precautions in crowds: Mumps is particularly contagious in crowded, close quarters, so public health officials urge students and employees to take precautions while socializing, studying, or participating in other activities that occur in such conditions.

Treatment

Since mumps is caused by a virus, antibiotics cannot cure or treat mumps. Most treatment is to alleviate symptoms. Bed rest, a soft diet to reduce pain when chewing and pain and fever relievers are often recommended.   

Complications of mumps are rare but may include orchitis (painful swelling of the testicles), meningitis (in 1-10 percent of cases), encephalitis (swelling of the brain; less than 1 percent of cases), and/or hearing loss (very rare). There may be an increased risk of miscarriage with mumps in the first trimester.