“Should I be worried about cholera? ”
I'm traveling for a mission trip in South America, and one of the vaccines I'm told I need is for cholera. I've heard of it before, but I thought that it didn't really exist any more. Should I really be concerned about it?
2 Answers
Cholera is still in the world, although most of South America is not highly infected. It is transmitted by drinking or exposure to infected water sources or by exposure to another infected persons stools. I would be very careful if you are in primitive settings and would drink only boiled water and avoid contact with persons who have diarrhea or stomach discomfort.
Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña
Infectious Disease Specialist
It all depends on which country are you travelling to. Without me knowing exactly where you are going I am going to agree with your health care provider in recommending taking the oral vaccine.