Infectious Disease Essay: Cholera, Influenza, and Control Measures

This essay provides a comprehensive comparison of Cholera and Influenza, two significant infectious diseases. It begins by outlining the mechanisms of infection for each disease, detailing the bacteria and virus involved, and the body systems affected. The essay then explores the symptoms, historical impact on human populations, and the evolution of control measures, contrasting 19th-century approaches with current medical interventions. A key section describes cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune responses, along with the process of vaccination as an artificial form of active immunity. The essay discusses the global incidence and transmission rates of Cholera, and concludes by evaluating the role of vaccination and other interventions in controlling both diseases, offering insights into their effectiveness and potential limitations. The essay draws on several research papers and scientific journals to support its arguments.

Biology
Infectious Diseases

An Essay on disease and infection control which compares cholera with influenza
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Cholera’s effect on human populations in history.....................................................................1
Discuss Cholera’s incidence in different parts of the world and its transmission rate..............2
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................2
References.............................................................................................................................3

Introduction
Mechanisms for infection for both diseases
Cholera- This infection is caused by the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae which leads to collonization
of the intestine in humans ("The Cholera: Cholera and our Protection from it", 1892). These
bacteria produces toxin called cholera and is generally spread in areas which has limited
sanitation of water and proper disposal of human wastes.
Influenza- This is an infectious disease which is caused by the influenza virus. This virus
spreads very fast and there are three ways. Through direct transmission when this virus
comes in direct contact to a healthy person from an infected person by sneezing directly into
mouth, nose or eyes (Chatterjee, 1957). Though the air route when the healthy person inhales
this virus present in the environment. Through the contact of hand to eye or hand to mouth in
a healthy person.
Organs or body system affected
Cholera- In this infection, the small intestine gets affected by the presence of the bacteria
Vibrio Cholerae and the characteristics are the extreme situation of diarrhoea where the fluids
of the body gets depleted.
Influenza- This virus affects the respiratory tract of the human body which include parts like
throat, nose and the tubes carrying oxygen to the lungs.
Symptoms of each disease
Cholera- The main symptoms of this disease is the dehydration and a situation of diarrhoea.
When this infection reaches to a serious situation, there can be cases of shocks and seizures
("The Cholera Epidemic: "Mixed Infection" in Cholera", 1893).
Influenza- In this infection, the patient can experience fever, cough, runny nose, congestion,
fatigue, headache and muscle aches.
Cholera’s effect on human populations in history
These diseases have created a severe impact on the population of the world. There have been
cases of panic, impediment of the development of the nation, disruption among people and
communities in the history ("Protective Vaccination against Cholera", 1893). There have
been many instances in the past for the outbreak of this disease.

19th century approaches to its control with current medical interventions
Cholera- The treatment in 19th century was much different than what is available today. At
that time the science has not developed much to provide proper medication and vaccinations
for the people suffering from such diseases. Thus there was widespread deaths from such
diseases. Also the method for treatment of water to make it safe for drinking was not
widespread. The technology for purification of water has been recently developed which is
leading to higher prevention of the spread of such diseases. Also the awareness of people at
that time was less which led to outbreak of such diseases. In the present time, due to the use
of internet, the information reaches to everyone and helps to reduce the incidence of such
diseases.
Influenza- The treatment of influenza was done more with the help of generic medicines in
the 19th century. There was not proper development of the vaccination and antibodies which
can help fight this infection. There was huge number of deaths due to this infection at that
time. Also diagnosis was not developed to detect the issues. The present situation is very
much different. Artificial methods for developing of antibodies in humans are used to prevent
this diseases and other medication are also available for treating it. The patent medicine for
treating of influenza was developed in the 20th century. Especially during the winter time,
there was serious issues of this problem in parts of the world where sun was not strong. Also
there have been development of various new influenzas which affect human body and
medicines are also being evolved accordingly.
Description of cell mediated and antibody mediated immune responses (Miller, 2003).
This is one of the life-threatening disease if not treated on time. When this infection occur
naturally, it leads to long term protective immunity where the T-cells have an important role
to play. Cell mediated immunity helps to fight this infection in a patient. Soluble host
proteins are given which are the antibodies to fight the disease. When an unstimulated B cell
encounters with the antigen, it develops a plasma cell which develop the antibodies which
react with the infection. The clones of the identical B cells which are called memory B cells
are developed. T cells which is related with white blood cells are also activated to fight the
disease.
Process of vaccination as an artificial form of active immunity.

Governments and various international health care bodies have decided to provide
vaccination to healthy individuals to develop their immunity for fighting such infection if
they are exposed to. This artificial form of providing active immunity has helped the world to
fight these diseases to a great extent. The number of deaths from such diseases have reduced
in the recent times.
Discuss Cholera’s incidence in different parts of the world and its transmission rate.
Cholera is an infection which is spread worldwide and the countries with poor sanitation and
water purification is suffering more. The industrialised countries though with proper disposal
of sewage has been able to see fewer cases in the recent past. The World health Organization
maintains a database for the outbreak of such infections in various countries ("Pandemic
FluClinical management of patients with an influenza-like illness during an influenza
pandemic", 2006). However the researches have shown that most of the cholera cases are not
reported and the reported ones form only the 5-10% of the actual number of cases. A data
from 2002 shows that, 11 million cases were recorded worldwide.
WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Vaccines and Immunization show that the
countries are classified as endemic and non-endemic outbreak of this disease. This is known
to be the disease of poverty and around 50 countries of the world is endemic.
Conclusion
Whether vaccination has a role in the control of each of the disease under discussion.
Cholera- Treatment of this disease is important otherwise it can lead to serious issues.
Prevention strategies include use of clean water, maintenance of proper sanitation and other
cleanliness. Cholera vaccination is given to treat people suffering from this disease. WHO
administers Oral Cholera Vaccinations in various countries to help people develop the
immunity against the bacteria. Other treatment also includes use of Oral Rehydration
Solution, other intravenous fluids and antibiotics to fight infection (Cunha, Hage & Thekkel,
2011). These medicines effective help to reduce the symptoms and provide relief to the
patients.
Influenza- Various antiviral compounds are used to treat this infection. These compounds
affect in two ways, M2 ion channel blockers and NA inhibitors. This helps to provide relief to
the patients.
Why it might or might not have a role.

These vaccinations and treatment medicines might or might not have a role on the body of the
patient depending upon the reaction of the body for such vaccination ("The Causes of
Influenza", 1940). In situations when the conditions are very poor for the patients, these
medicines may not have proper effect to develop the antibodies at a faster rate. However with
the development of the science of medicine, treatments are effective in most of the cases and
help save lives of millions suffering from infection.
Other interventions in the control of each disease.
Cholera- In order to limit the spread of this disease, various international bodies and
governments have intervened to provide protective measures for spread of these diseases
(Mukherjee, Vipat & Chakrabarti, 2013). Use of proper sanitation, proper disposal of human
wastes and use of clean water for drinking are some of the important ways to prevent this.
Influenza- In order to prevent this disease from spreading, vaccinations are provided to
children and babies for them to develop antibodies in their body which can fight when
invaded by such virus. These vaccinations are given in government hospitals to all children
(Duke, 2010).
References
Chatterjee, H. (1957). Reduction of Cholera Mortality by the Control of Bowel Symptoms
and Other Complications. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 33(380), 278-284. doi:
10.1136/pgmj.33.380.278
Cunha, B., Hage, J., & Thekkel, V. (2011). Infection control implications of influenza A and
influenza B: Coinfection or cocirculating strains?. American Journal Of Infection
Control, 39(8), 701-702. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2011.03.016
Duke, S. (2010). Infections. Rourke Educational Media.
Miller, J. (2003). Bacteriophage and the Evolution of Epidemic Cholera. Infection And
Immunity, 71(6), 2981-2982. doi: 10.1128/iai.71.6.2981-2982.2003
Mukherjee, S., Vipat, V., & Chakrabarti, A. (2013). Infection with influenza A viruses causes
changes in promoter DNA methylation of inflammatory genes. Influenza And Other
Respiratory Viruses, 7(6), 979-986. doi: 10.1111/irv.12127

Pandemic FluClinical management of patients with an influenza-like illness during an
influenza pandemic. (2006). Journal Of Infection, 53, i-S58. doi: 10.1016/s0163-
4453(07)60001-2
Protective Vaccination against Cholera. (1893). BMJ, 1(1675), 254-254. doi:
10.1136/bmj.1.1675.254-a
The Causes of Influenza. (1940). BMJ, 1(4138), 694-695. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.4138.694
The Cholera Epidemic: "Mixed Infection" in Cholera. (1893). BMJ, 1(1676), 317-318. doi:
10.1136/bmj.1.1676.317-a
The Cholera: Cholera and our Protection from it. (1892). BMJ, 2(1653), 562-567. doi:
10.1136/bmj.2.1653.562