The dreaded vibrio infection: symptoms and prevention
Endemic in parts of Asia without adequate sewage systems, it can be contracted during travel. In our country, the main defendants are seafood that is not cooked properly
India, cholera endemic due to lack of adequate sewage systems (Ansa)
In Sardinia, after half a century, a case of cholera has returned , which has infected a pensioner from Arbus, hospitalized in Cagliari.
The news caused concern. But what is it about? Here are the answers to the main questions.
WHAT IT IS – Cholera is a poisoning of the small intestine by certain strains of the gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium, Vibrio cholerae or vibrio.
DEATH RATE - If cholera patients are treated quickly and correctly, the death rate is less than 1%, with a slight increase in children. however, without treatment, the mortality rate rises to 50-60%.
SYMPTOMS – «The main symptom is “watery” diarrhea, which occurs very frequently in the event of an infection», explains Goffredo Angioni, director of the infectious diseases department of the Santissima Trinità hospital in Cagliari, to Videolina. "The infection - continues Angioni - can be accompanied by vomiting, while fever is generally almost always absent".
HOW IT IS CONTRACTED – Cholera, continues Angioni, is "highly contagious" and is contracted via the fecal-oral route. «In some Asian countries - where the sewage system is not adequate - it is endemic, above all in India. Therefore it can be contracted during trips to those areas ». Here, however, infections are "sporadic" and the main culprits are inadequately cooked seafood, which can host the vibrio bacterium.
PREVENTION – Prevention goes above all from hygiene, starting with washing hands and food. And then from the consumption of seafood only after appropriate cooking .
(Unioneonline/lf)
