Cholera

What is cholera?

• Cholera is a dangerous disease caused by dirty water or contaminated food.
• It attacks your stomach and causes severe diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration (your body losing too much water).
• If untreated, cholera can be deadly within hours!

Signs you might have cholera?

• “Rice water” diarrhoea (watery stool that looks like washed rice).
• Vomiting and nausea
• Extreme thirst
• Sunken eyes, dry mouth, and weak body.
• Muscle cramps 

How do you get cholera? 

• Drinking dirty or unclean water.
• Eating food prepared with unwashed hands.
• Eating raw or half-cooked seafood (shrimp, crab, etc.).
• Living in areas with poor sanitation.

How to stay safe?

• Wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating.
• Drink only clean, boiled, or FDA-approved water.
• Eat hot, freshly cooked food
• Wash your veggies properly with salted water.
• Avoid street food if you’re unsure of hygiene levels.

What if you get cholera? 

• Drink oral rehydration salts (ORS) to replace lost fluids.
• Go to the hospital for IV fluids and antibiotics if symptoms are severe.
• Take zinc supplements to help your body recover faster.

Why you should take cholera seriously?

If untreated, cholera can cause shock, kidney failure, and even death in just 6 to 12 hours.