Dr. Ramya V Raghavan Consultant, Internal Medicine Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield

by Shrutee K/DNS

Bengaluru, January 09, 2018: The recent news on Cholera outbreak in specific areas has put the residents of Bangalore on a high alert. Public awareness concerning the spread of disease can help curb cholera. Precautions and timely treatment is very important to control an outbreak.

Symptoms of cholera: Profuse watery diarrhoea, Vomiting, Leg cramps and associated symptoms due to dehydration

Cholera can cause death due to dehydration within hours if not treated properly.

How is cholera spread?

Cholera is a caused by a bacterium called Vibrio Cholerae present in contaminated water and food.

Cholera does not spread directly from one person to another. It is only spread via faecal contamination of water sources and food.

Cholera has a short incubation period from a few hours to around 5 days.

Around 75% of people carrying the cholera infection may not show any symptoms but shed the bacterium in their faeces/stools across 7 to 14 days causing infection to other individuals.

The following simple steps can protect you and your family from cholera:

Drink and use safe water.

Safe water is water that is bottled with an unbroken seal or water that has been boiled or treated via chlorine or other means.

Safe water should also be stored in clean covered containers.

Wash hands often with soap and safe water.

Cook food well. Keep all food items covered.

Always wash hands after using a latrine and before preparing any food.

Do not defecate in the open or near any water body. Bury the faeces or use a latrine.

Treatment for cholera:

First ensure patient is sufficiently hydrated via an Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution. In severe case, intravenous fluids will be needed

Appropriate antibiotics will be prescribed by your Doctor to shorten the duration of the disease

If any person presents with any of the cholera symptoms listed above, then they must immediately go to the nearest hospital or PHC.

About Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.

Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is the only company in India to utilize 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route in the hospital sector.

About Columbia Asia Group of Companies

The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates eleven facilities in India and has presence in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Patiala and Pune. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (12), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (3). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.