How Do We Protect Our Children From Cholera?

Currently, there is a Cholera outbreak in many different parts of Kenya.  What is this deadly disease?  How is it spread?  And, most importantly of all, how can we protect ourselves and our children from it?

According to Wikipedia Cholera is defined as,

“An infection of the intestine by the bacterium Vibrio choleare. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe.”

Vibrio Cholerae is a class of bacteria, some of which, causes Cholera.   Even though Cholera was identified by the Italian anatomist, Filippo Pacini in 1884, this disease still sickens many .

“Cholera affects an estimated 3–5 million people worldwide and causes 58,000–130,000 deaths a year as of 2010”

Wikipedia

Again, according to Wikipedia, classic symptoms of this disease are,

1. ” Large amounts of watery diarrhea that last a few days”

2. ” Vomiting and cramps sometimes occur”

This can lead to very bad dehydration.  Depending on the degree of infection, symptoms can appear in as little as two hours or as long as five days.  Proper medical treatment is vital to help in recovery.

“An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure”

Benjamen Franklin

To aid in protecting yourself and your loved ones against this deadly disease you can practice and teach others proper sanitation and do your best to have access to clean water.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends these five ways to help protect yourself.

1.  Drink and use Safe Water.

     –   It is best to used bottled water that has been sealed, or,

     –   boil your water for at least 1 minute.

2.  Wash your hands with soap and safe water

     –  Prior to eating or making your food

     –  Before you feed your kids

     –  After you use the loo

     –  After cleaning your kids bottom

     –  After  you care for someone who is sick with diarrhea

3. Use latrines or bury your feces; do not defecate in any body of

     water.

 4.  Cook food well (especially seafood), keep it covered, eat it hot,

       and peel fruits and vegetables.

5.  Clean up safely – in the kitchen and in places where the family

      bathes and washes clothes.

These simple, yet effective, practices can help prevent Cholera.  What is wonderful is that you can take these precautions without spending a lot of money.  Once you get into the habit of doing these steps they don’t take a lot of time either.

It is tragic to think that some people, especially kids, sicken and sometimes even die simply because some, through not fault of their own, lack the most basic knowledge of how to protect themselves and their family.  We can love our neighbor as ourselves by informing others as to these 5 steps and help each other all live healthier, happier lives.

If you would like to know more about Cholera and how to prevent it you can click on these links,

1.  CDC – Five Basic Cholera Prevention Messages

2.  Wikipedia – Cholera

3.  World Health Organization – Cholera

4.  Wikipedia – About the Bacteria that Causes Cholera

5.  A Video About Cholera in Haiti

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