Cholera
Cholera is an acute diarrhoea caused by vibrio cholera. It
is characterized by the sudden onset of effortless watery diarrhoea followed by
vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscular cramps and suppression of urine. The
severity of cholera depends on its rapidity and duration of fluids loss. The
outbreak of cholera is massive and epidemic in nature.
Modes of Transmission
The modes of transmission of cholera are as follows:
. Faecally contaminated water.
. Contaminated food and drinks.
. Polluted water and drink it may
transmit throny to mites of infected person.
. Direct contact with an infected
person.
. Flies acts as mechanical carrier.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of cholera are as follows:
. Onset of painless watery diarrhoea and
vomiting.
. Diarrhoea like washed water of
rice more than 4 times in a day.
. Occurrence of the following
symptoms of dehydration:
-Sunken
eyes
-Hollow cheeks
-Wrinkled
abdomen
-Sub-normal temperature
-Absence of
pulse -Unrecordable
blood pressure
-Loss of
skin elasticity
-Shallow and quick respiration
. The output of urine decreases and
may ultimately cease.
. The patient becomes restless and
complains of intense thirst.
. Muscle cramps in legs and
abdomen.
. Heart and kidney failure due to
severe dehydration.
Prevention and
Control
The prevention and controlling measures of cholera are as
follows:
. Start re-hydration therapy. Use
of oral or intravenous therapy as per the degree
of
dehydration.
. Provision of safe drinking water
in all communities.
. Proper disposal of human excreta
and discourage open defecation practices.
. Maintain food hygiene during
preparation, storage and administration.
. Eat raw foods and vegetables
after careful washing.
. Maintain personal and
environmental sanitation.
. Give health education to
community people about causes and consequences of
cholera.
Common Cold
Common cold is caused by an acute viral disease of the upper
respiratory tract caused by rhino virus. Some common colds aaffect the whole
respiratory tract, producing some bodily discomforts such as headache and mild
fever.
It is
characterized by the inflammation of mucus membrane of nose, sinuses and
throat. The most significant role of common cold is that it serves as a
precursor to some serious disease by lowering the person’s resistance power.
The incubation period of common cold is 12-72 hours.
Mode of Transmission
The mode of transmission of common cold are as follows:
. Droplet infection: While sneezing,
coughing and even talking many rhino
viruses
come from the respiratory tract to the air and thus the viruses are
transferred to the susceptible person.
. Direct contact with the infected
person.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of common cold are as follows:
. Irritation in nose and throat.
. Congestion and dryness of nose
and throat
. Hoarseness of voice and sore
throat
. Coughing and sneezing
. Water flows from the nose
. Mild fever, headache and moist
eyes.
Prevention and
Control
The following are the preventive and controlling measures
against common cold.
. Avoiding colds as much as
possible particularly in case of excessive coughing
and
sneezing.
. Keeping up resistance by
sufficient sleep, recreation and proper diet.
. Washing hands with soap before
eating or handling food.
. Avoid towels, eating and drinking
utensils, or toilet articles used by others.
. Keeping the head, back of the
neck and feet warm and dry.
. Eating light meals with
nourishing food.
. Increasing the fluid intake by
drinking plenty of water, fruit juice and soup.
. Covering the nose and mouth with
a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.
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