The increased incidence of gastroenteritis
in Aba is not surprising given the environmental condition of the town and environmental experts had decried imminent epidemics.
The term gastroenteritis is derived from three root words; gastro = stomach, enteron = intestine and tis , meaning inflammation. Combing the three,we have inflammation of the stomach and intestines (small and large intestines)
Therefore, gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines resulting from micro organisms (protozoa, bacteria, virus) and toxins. It manifests as diarrhoea, vomiting and sometimes abdominal cramps [source[@nokas
Of recent there have been an increase in the number of gastroenteritis. Some of them mild and and some very Severe.
Not much investigations have been carried out to establish vibro cholera as the causative agent. One is wondering whether there is an outbreak of Cholera.
Recall that there have been an outbreak of Cholera in many states in Nigeria. As at 1st August,2021, outbreak of Cholera had been reported in about 22 States and FCT
The Nigeria center for disease control (NCDC) reported that about 46 deaths related to suspected cases of Cholera occurred across the 36 states in the last one week
Cholera is gastroenteritis caused by bacteria known as vibro cholera.
The route of infection is oro - faecal via contaminated food and water. It is differentiated classically from other types of gastroenteritis by the rice water stool.
Symptoms and Signs of Cholera
- Frequent stooling (Rice- water stool)
- Nausea( feeling of vomiting)
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps.
- Massive dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dizziness
- Tetany(involuntary muscle spasm or contractions)
- Shock
- The ultimate ( death)
Complications of Cholera
Unless there is timely intervention, certain complications are bound to occur and sometimes fatal. - Hypotension (low blood pressure) This is one of the major causes of death.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Results from severe loss of appetite.
- Hypokalemia (low potassium in blood).
This is the major cause of electrolyte imbalance - Cardiac arrhythmia (discordant heart beat). This can cause heart failure.
- kidney failure resulting from hypovolemia (wide spread reduction in supply of water and blood to the tissue)
Management of Cholera
Prompt, effective and efficient management of Cholera is necessary to prevent potential morbidity and mortality.
There are usually two ways to manage the infection:
- Massive Rehydration
This will restore the volume of fluid lost and also restore the Electrolytes. There are two approaches to this:
(a) Home remedy
Requirements
Six level teaspoonful of sugar
Half level teaspoonful of salt
One liter of bottled or boiled water
Dissolve the contents together and shake very well.
Dose
Take one cup of the solution for every loose stool. For children under one year, give one quarter of a cup and for those above one year, give half a cup per loose stool.
(b) Hospital administration of fluid
Intravenous fluid administration remains the mainstay and life saver for all cases of Cholera. Massive and rapid administration of fluid can restore fluid loss and save the life of the patient. Individuals should visit the hospital early enough to prevent complications.
Prevention of Cholera
Prevention is always better and cheaper than cure. The following preventive measures should be adopted:
- Personal hygiene; wash your hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet. During outbreak, wash your hands with disinfectant such as dettol.
- Do not start eating fruits from the point of sales, wash them before eating.
- Vegetables and food should be properly cooked.
- Cover food very well
- Save and good drinking water, During outbreak, bottled water will be preferable if not take satchet water.
- Do not leave faeces on the surface of the earth, bury them.
- Communities should protect source of drinking water from being contaminated.
- Keep the environment clean by carting away refuse.
- Provision of pipe borne water will significantly reduce the incidence of Cholera.
- Provision of basic infrastructures remain key to prevention of Cholera and other causes of gastroenteritis.
- Poverty reduction is critical to prevention of Cholera in sub saharan Africa. Poverty prevents people from eating quality food and drinking good water. Even when the infection occurs poverty prevents people from accessing medical services and thereby prevent complications and death.
Conclusion
There is an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Aba suspected to be cholera. Prompt management with fluids will prevent mortality. Visit the hospital early enough.