Cholera is not just a historical disease. It remains a major public health concern in many parts of the world today.
As a pharmacy student, understanding cholera’s transmission, prevention, and treatment is important in public health roles, hospital settings, and community pharmacy practice.
Let’s look at the key points every pharmacy student should know:
What is cholera?
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. It causes severe dehydration and can be fatal if left untreated.
According to the WHO, Cholera
Mode of Transmission:
- Spread through contaminated food and water (fecal-oral route).
- Person-to-person transmission is rare.
Did you know? The incubation period of cholera can range from 2 hours to 5 days, making prompt identification and control essential.
Common Symptoms of Cholera
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Profuse watery diarrhea
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Vomiting and nausea
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Dehydration
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Loss of skin elasticity
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Muscle cramps
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Low blood pressure (Hypotension)
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Cardiovascular shock in severe cases
Early diagnosis and prompt rehydration are key to preventing complications
Prevention and Control Measures
As a pharmacy professional or student, it is part of your role to educate the community and promote preventive steps.
How to Prevent Cholera:
- Drink safe, treated, or bottled water.
- Eat well-cooked and hot food.
- Avoid street food and raw vegetables in affected areas.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Encourage travelers to cholera-prone areas to get vaccinated.
Treatment Options for Cholera
Treatment of cholera focuses on rapid rehydration and restoring electrolytes.
Oral rehydration solution (ORS)- It is a first-line treatment for most patients.
IV fluids- For patients with severe dehydration or shock (eg, Ringer’s lactate).
Antibiotics- To reduce the duration and severity of symptoms in moderate to severe cases.
Critical Steps in Cholera Control
Pharmacy students should understand the comprehensive public health strategy.
1. Prevention
- Access to clean water and sanitation.
- Promote hygiene and food security.
2. Preparedness
- Train health workers to detect and report cases early.
- Keep emergency rehydration kits and antibiotics available.
3. Response
- Establish community-based treatment centres.
- Start case finding and reporting as early as possible.
4. Surveillance
- Regular data collection and analysis to monitor outbreaks and plan responses.
WHO Guidelines & Role of Pharmacists
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends:
- Testing for cholera in all cases of diarrhea.
- Confirming V. cholerae in stool samples.
- Immediately notifying public health authorities.
As a future pharmacist, you may be involved in:
- Distributing ORS and antibiotics.
- Educating patients and caregivers.
- Participating in health camps or outbreak response units.
Cholera Vaccines You Should Know
There are two types of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) available:
- Dukoral
- Shanchol/mORCVAX
These are especially useful for travelers and high-risk communities.
Visit the World Health Organization’s cholera vaccine page to learn more about these vaccines.
Conclusion
Cholera is a preventable and treatable disease, but it requires prompt action and strong community involvement. As a future healthcare provider, understanding the causes and prevention of cholera is essential. In this pharmacy student disease guide, your role goes beyond dispensing medication – you can actively contribute to health education, treatment support, and promoting public health awareness, especially during outbreaks.
