In the south of Ukraine, the occupiers almost destroyed the entire infrastructure in many cities. When there is no water and the ability to process food in heat, the risk of outbreak of dangerous infections is very high.
Extensive war and destroyed infrastructure, combined with the summer heat, increases the risk of chronic infectious diseases such as cholera. Without proper treatment, cholera can even lead to death. How to diagnose symptoms and protect yourself from infection, tell the Public Health Center.
Cholera is a chronic diarrhea infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139. It is transmitted via the fecal-oral route from human to human more frequently when drinking contaminated water, vegetables, fruits, while bathing, as well as through food and household contacts. Without proper treatment, it can lead to death.
The source of the infectious agent is a sick person or a carrier of vibrios, doctors say.
Vibrio cholerae can live in water for a long time, on food at room temperature for two to five days, on fruit and vegetables in the sun for eight hours, at low temperatures and in water. sea for two weeks and more, in the intestines of individual river and sea animals – several months.
Symptoms of cholera:
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often, up to 10 or more times a day, diarrhea. As a result, the body loses large amounts of water. As a result – blood thickening and dehydration;
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muscle cramps that appear due to loss of microelements with fluid;
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exacerbation of facial features, sunken eyes, blue lips and auricles;
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having cold skin. Cholera is accompanied by normal or even low body temperature;
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loss of elasticity of the skin, due to which it easily accumulates in folds and straightens over a very long period of time, and the skin of the feet and hands becomes wrinkled;
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shortness of breath, severe weakness.
At the first symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.
To prevent the disease, the following rules should be followed:
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boil water. When boiled, Vibrio cholerae dies within a minute;
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observe basic rules of personal hygiene, wash hands thoroughly before taking or preparing food, after visiting the toilet;
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monitor the quality of food products, do not use them if there are doubts about their storage and origin;
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if possible, use special means (tablets) to disinfect the water before boiling it;
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wash vegetables and fruits before use, if there are doubts about water quality, then do not eat fruits and vegetables without heat treatment;
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carefully cook food, boil and fry food before eating.
Doctors have noticed that with timely treatment, a mild form of cholera ends in a complete recovery. In the absence of effective therapy for two to three days, the patient may develop a coma, and death is possible.
Recall that earlier the chief doctor of state sanitary of the Russian Federation Anna Popova ordered the heads of territorial departments to prepare laboratories for conducting research on cholera. Russian authorities have already begun preparations for the cholera outbreak in the regions of the border country of Ukraine.
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Source: korrespondent
