Cholera Vaccine (Systemic)
CategoryDescriptionCholera
((KOL-era)) is a serious disease that can cause death. It is caused by a germ called
Vibrio cholerae
, and is spread most often through infected
food or water. If you are traveling to cholera-infected areas, avoid eating
uncooked food, especially fish and shellfish, and peel fruit yourself. Avoid
water that may be infected; carbonated bottled water and carbonated soft drinks
are safe.
Cholera is rare in the U.S. and other areas of the world that have good
water and sewage (waste) systems. However, it is a problem in parts of the
world that do not have such systems. If you are traveling to cholera-infected
areas (e.g., developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America) cholera
vaccine may help protect you from cholera.
Cholera vaccine given by injection may help prevent cholera, but provides
only 25 to 50% protection. Therefore, it is very important to avoid infected
persons and food and water that may be infected, even if you have received
the vaccine.
To get the best possible protection against cholera, you should complete
the vaccine dosing schedule before you travel to areas where you may be exposed
to cholera.
If you will be staying in parts of the world where cholera is a problem,
you should get a booster (repeat) dose of the vaccine every 6 months.
Cholera vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision
of a doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:
Parenteral
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
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