Cholera and Typhoid: Early Detection and Treatment Options

If you’re a fan of international travel who loves venturing off to far-off places to discover new cultures, cuisines, and stunning landscapes – it’s important to learn about the health risks of the places you’ll be visiting. A visit to your local Travel Clinic can help you protect yourself against any foreign diseases. Health experts at a travel clinic can give you advice about vaccinations, medication, and traveller sickness prevention that’s tailored to you and your travel plans.

While more westernised countries have fewer infectious diseases to worry about when visiting, the risk runs higher for contracting diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis, Yellow Fever, etc. in underdeveloped countries.

Cholera and Typhoid Fever are still common in many developing countries, but the good news is that with a simple Cholera Vaccination and Typhoid Vaccination you can prevent these diseases and travel worry-free.

Cholera and Typhoid: Early Detection and Treatment Options   

Cholera and Typhoid Fever are both caused by a bacterial infection transmitted by drinking contaminated water or consuming contaminated food. Stool samples and lab tests are the most common ways to diagnose Cholera and Typhoid Fever. Early diagnosis gives you a better chance to treat the disease before more serious symptoms have the chance to develop. While symptoms of severe diarrhoea are common in both diseases, each has its own unique differences.

CHOLERA

Cholera-related diarrhoea can be hard to differentiate from diarrhoea caused by other illnesses, but with cholera, your diarrhoea may have a pale, milky appearance.

 Other symptoms of cholera include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dehydration
• Cramps
• Dry mouth

Treatment

Cholera requires immediate treatment because the disease can be life-threatening due to severe dehydration and its side effects caused by severe cases of diarrhoea.

Treatment includes:

·         Rehydration with intravenous fluids.

·         Antibiotics.

·         Zinc supplements.

TYPHOID FEVER

Typhoid fever begins with a low-grade fever that gets progressively higher. Other symptoms follow as the bacteria spreads through your body.

These include:

·         Stomach pain.

·         Rash.

·         Cough.

·         Muscle aches.

·         Vomiting.

·         Diarrhoea.

·         Constipation.

Treatment

Typhoid can be life-threatening and needs to be treated immediately. A variety of antibiotics are used to treat  the various symptoms. To prevent typhoid, the best thing you can do is get the Typhoid Fever vaccination.

Miles Pharmacy is your one-stop-shop for all your travel vaccination needs. We offer Cholera and Typhoid Fever vaccines in addition to other travel vaccines and antimalarials for travel to high-risk countries.

Book an appointment online to get your travel vaccination in Epsom at Miles Pharmacy.