cholera - MASTA Travel Health | For All Your Vaccination advice

Cholera

Cholera is an infection of the intestines caused by bacteria. Most cases are mild and are similar to other types of travellers’ diarrhoea. Severe cases are rare in travellers.
  • Symptoms Diarrhoea - which can be very watery, sometimes with vomiting and fever.
  • How do you catch cholera? Cholera is usually spread by drinking contaminated water and commonly occurs following natural disasters or in refugee camps.
  • Incubation period 2 – 5 days
  • Diagnosis The diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of a stool specimen.

Prevention

The risk of catching cholera can be reduced by only drinking safe water and through good personal hygiene. Avoiding raw or undercooked seafood will also reduce the risk.

Treatment

Drinking plenty of fluids is necessary to prevent dehydration. In serious cases antibiotics may be needed.

Vaccination options

An oral vaccine is available.

Level of protection: ~ 85%

Protection duration: 2 years.

How is it given: 2 doses 1 to 6 weeks apart, 3 doses for young children

Ideally start: At least 2 weeks before travel.

£76.00 Pricing shown is per full course based on two doses. Young children will require 3 doses which will increase the price for the full course

  • Outbreaks of cholera occur where sanitation facilities are poor or damaged, so aid workers are at more risk than most other travellers.
  • Catching cholera from another person is rare.
  • Unlike most vaccines, the cholera vaccine is taken by mouth.
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