| Cholera | <h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2><p>Cholera is an infection of the intestine caused by a type of bacteria called
<em>Vibrio cholerae</em>, resulting in acute watery diarrhoea (runny tummy). Most people who become infected with cholera have no symptoms; but will have the bacteria in their feaces.<br><br> Cholera can cause rapid dehydration (loss of fluids) and death if not treated quickly and successfully.<br><br> People who are at risk of contracting cholera often don’t have access to adequate sanitation and use unsafe water from rivers, streams, boreholes, etc.<br><br><b>It is spread by:</b></p><ul><li>An infected person handling food without washing their hands </li><li>Drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with the cholera bacteria </li><li>Drinking unclean water </li><li>Using unclean water to wash fruit, vegetables, working surfaces or cutlery and crockery</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Symptoms</h2><p>Symptoms may occur within a few hours to five days after being infected (usually two - three days).<br><br><b>If you’ve contracted cholera you may experience:</b></p><ul><li>A sudden occurrence of severe, painless watery diarrhoea – in some cases it might have a ‘rice-water’ appearance;</li><li>Vomiting early in the illness;</li><li>Dehydration within hours of being ill, which may progress rapidly;</li><li>Muscle cramps, cold sweaty skin and rapid breathing- this happens in severe cases;</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Treatment</h2><p>If you have any of the above symptoms, visit your nearest doctor, clinic or hospital immediately. If not treated, serious complications may occur, e.g. kidney failure.<br><br><b>If you, a family member or your baby has diarrhoea:</b></p><ul><li>Drink lots of fluids – dehydration can be rapid</li><li>Prepare a rehydration/sugar and salt solution and drink this regularly and on your way to the clinic, doctor or hospital</li><li>Children over the age of two years should drink 125 ml – 250 ml of solution after every watery stool.</li><li>Children under the age of two years should drink 60 ml – 125 ml of solution after each watery stool. Feed the baby small amounts of rehydration solution to drink every few minutes as you travel to the clinic, doctor or hospital.</li></ul>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>If you have diarrhoea, replace the lost fluids with an
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Oral%20Rehydration_Preparation%20Guidelines.pdf" target="_blank">oral rehydration/sugar and salt solution</a>.
<br><br> 1. Boil one litre of water and allow it to cool.<br> 2. Add eight level teaspoons of sugar and a half a teaspoon of salt and stir well.</p></div></div></span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Prevention</h2><p>You can prevent contracting cholera by practicing good food and personal hygiene and ensuring that you
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/City%20Health_Boil%20water.pdf" target="_blank">drink and cook with safe water</a>. See our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Diarrhoea_Prevention%20tips_Final.pdf" target="_blank">Prevention Tips</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><p>For more information, contact your
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">nearest clinic or healthcare facility</a>.</p><p>If you find yourself in an emergency situation, contact
<em><a>107</a></em> from a landline, or
<em><a>021 480 7700</a></em> from a cellphone. </p> | | GP0|#b79d4015-2e51-4640-87a7-b09f64fcb053;L0|#0b79d4015-2e51-4640-87a7-b09f64fcb053|Cholera;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#78333cb0-bf6b-46a3-b144-f2c3249ddb09;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Find out about cholera, as well as the prevention and treatment methods. | |
