1. ~CHOLERA~ BY
MARIA MARTINEZ

2. ~ WHAT IS CHOLERA? ~
bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract
caused by a germ called vibrio cholerae
Few cases are recognized in the United states each year
Epidemic levels of cholera have recently been reported in parts of Central and South America

3. ~ WHO GETS CHOLERA? ~ A rare disease in U.S. Most at risk in the U.S.:
People traveling to foreign countries where outbreaks are occurring
People who consume raw or uncooked sea food from warm coastal waters subject to sewage contamination
In both instances the risk is small

4. ~HOW IS THE GERM SPREAD?~
passed in the stools
spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the fecal waste of an infected person
occurs more often in underdeveloped countries lacking adequate water supplies and proper sewage disposal

5. ~WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHOLERA?~
mild to severe diarrhea
vomiting
dehydration
Fever is usually absent
dry skin
excessive thirst
lack of tears
low urine output
abdominal cramps

6. ~HOW SOON DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR?~
The symptoms may appear from a few hours to five days after exposure.

7. ~WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR CHOLERA?~
rapid dehydration results from severe diarrhea
replacement of fluids by mouth or by intravenous route is critical.
Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are also use to shorten the duration of diarrhea and preventing the germs in the feces.

8. ~IS THERE A VACCINE FOR CHOLERA?~
A vaccine is sometimes recommended for travelers to certain foreign countries where cholera is occurring.
offers only partial protection (50%) for a short duration (two to six months).
Some physicians feel that foreign travelers almost never contract cholera and that use of the current vaccine cannot be justified.

9. ~HOW CAN CHOLERA BE PREVENTED?~
The single most important preventive measure is to avoid consuming uncooked foods or water in foreign countries where cholera occurs unless they are known to be safe or have been properly treated.

10. ~HOW THE DISEASE WILL AFFECT US IN THE FUTURE?~
Only if U.S.citizens travels to other foreign countries.
Haiti has been trying to fight the bacteria that already killed 250 people.
Resources: Google Health-cholera, In Haiti, capital braces for a cholera outbreak-NYTimes.com,