Cholera Treatment in Malnourish Children
Cholera is an extremely virulent disease that can kill within hours if left untreated; it is an infectious disease that can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera is transmitted mainly through contaminated water and food. Children are the most vulnerable to infection. Most cases need rap...
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Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2018
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5706/1/FH02-FP-19-24389.pdf http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5706/ |
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Summary: | Cholera is an extremely virulent disease that can kill within
hours if left untreated; it is an infectious disease that can cause
severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera is transmitted mainly
through contaminated water and food. Children are the most
vulnerable to infection. Most cases need rapid treatment with
intravenous fluids and antibiotics. The real danger of cholera is the
loss of liquid and nutrients from the child’s body. Malnutrition in
children with cholera is common in under developed countries.
Severe malnutrition remains an important problem in cholera cases.
Liquid and nutrition lost can cause dehydration and malnutrition. It
is recommended that drink lots of liquids and oral rehydration salts
(ORS), properly mixed with clean water from a safe source, and take
zinc tablets or syrup for 10–14 days. ORS is a special combination
of dry salts that is mixed with water to replace the fluids lost due to
diarrhoea. At least 1/4 to 1/2 of a large (250-millilitre) cup of the
ORS drink after each watery stool is needed in a child under the age
of 2 years, and at least 1/2 to 1 whole large (250-millilitre) cup of
the ORS drink after each watery stool in a a child aged 2 years or
older. An effective oral rehydration solution for malnourish children
can be made using food supplements which contain starches and/ or sugars as a source of glucose and energy, some sodium and
some potassium; such as gruels, carrot soup, rice water (congee),
and banana or other non-sweetened mashed fruit which provide
potassium. Emphasis should be given in to improve nutrition that
is the most effective forms of overcoming malnutrition. It has to
be taken note that breastfeeding can reduce rates of malnutrition
and death in children. Government in the affected countries should
put more efforts to promote the practice to increase the rates of
breastfeeding. In young children, together with to breast milk,
nutritious food should be provided in children between six months
and two years of age. It is recommended that supplementation of a
number of micronutrients to women during pregnancy and among
young children in the developing world could effectively nourish
malnutrition in cholera patient. |
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