There are many health issues that are more common during the rainy season than any other time of the year, and one of those is cholera. In this article, you will learn about some simple tips and tricks on how to keep cholera from striking, so don’t stop reading now.
Before we take a look at some of the steps to take toi fend off cholera, let’s first spend a little of our time to briefly getting to know this infectious disease.
Simply put, cholera can spread from one person to the next by means of the consumption of food and water contaminated by the feces of a person who is carrying vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that is responsible for cholera.
The said bacterium, once in your intestines, releases a toxin that can cause severe diarrhea. Vibrio cholerae itself cannot kill you, but the watery diarrhea that it causes certainly can. Needless to say, death can result if dehydration due to severe diarrhea isn’t managed or controlled promptly and effectively.
It goes without saying that keeping the body hydrated very well is a step that’s taken especially in emergency cases. Rehydrating solutions can be administered orally or intravenously. Antibiotics are also usually administered in order to kill off the bacterium responsible for cholera and also shorten the duration of the resulting diarrhea.
There is actually a vaccine against cholera, but it’s something that can offer protection for only a few months. Commonly, it’s recommended for people who are traveling to places where cholera is epidemic.
Now that you got to know cholera more, it’s time for you to check out these steps on how to prevent cholera most especially during the rainy season:
Consume Nothing But Water That’s Safe to Drink
Drinking municipal water can considerably increase your chance of ending up with cholera. It’s exactly for this reason why opting for bottled water (or even fruit juices and carbonated beverages) with unbroken seals is a good idea.
If you cannot get your hands on bottled water or any other liquid, consider boiling water obtained from the faucet. According to health authorities, make sure that you bring water to a complete boil and allow 1 or 2 minute to pass before switching off the stove.
By the way, make sure that you opt for safe water when making ice and also brushing your teeth.
Wash Your Hands Very Well
Everyone knows for a fact that frequent hand washing is an excellent way to lower one’s risk of catching the common cold or flu. Well, the same can be extremely beneficial if it’s the rainy season (or any other time of the year) and you want to ensure that you won’t end up battling cholera.
Making sure that your hands are clean is very important before having a meal to keep your food from being contaminated. This is most especially true after using the bathroom or touching any contaminated object.
If soap and water is not accessible, worry not. That’s because you can simply use hand sanitizer that’s alcohol-based in order to make sure that any vibrio cholerae present is zapped.
Cook Food Thoroughly and Avoid Street Foods
Earlier, it was mentioned that you should boil water very well before drinking it in order to kill off the bacterium that is responsible for cholera. It’s for this reason exactly why it is also good idea for you to cook your food very well. Health authorities say that sea foods most especially should be thoroughly cooked.
When it comes to consuming raw fruits and vegetables, they are safe to eat after peeling. Just see to it that you’re the one who peels them and also check that you wash your hands beforehand.
Needless to say, it’s a good idea for you to avoid consuming street foods or those that are prepared by individuals who could be carriers and do not practice good hygiene. As much as possible, stick to foods that you have prepared yourself.
