In a devastating prolonged survival situation, particularly if you live in an urban or suburban area, diseases we typically relegate to the third world will inevitably make a gruesome comeback.

That is why it is critical that you ensure as part of your bug-out bag or survival kit, the necessities needed to make sure you and your loved ones make it through unscathed.

Cholera

Cholera is a bacterial disease causing infection in the intestines, most often spread through dirty water. A tell-tale symptom is excess amounts of watery diarrhea lasting for several days. Vomiting may also occur. The diarrhea can be so severe that people become dehydrated within a matter of hours. Symptoms generally appear 2-5 days after exposure. Fever is rare, and should cause suspicion of a secondary infection.

Cholera is spread through water and food contaminated with human feces. Insufficiently cooked crabs, shrimp, oysters and other shellfish, which have the Cholera bacteria on their shells, is another common source.

The source of the contamination is typically other cholera sufferers when their untreated diarrheal discharge is allowed to get into waterways, groundwater or drinking water supplies.

Drinking any infected water and eating any foods washed in the water, as well as shellfish living in the affected waterway, can cause a person to contract an infection. Cholera is rarely spread directly from person to person.

Rehydration is key to recovery. An electrolyte solution of 1 liter of boiled water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 6 teaspoons of sugar, and mashed banana for potassium can be used when commercially produced oral rehydration solutions are unavailable.

I have a homemade electrolyte mix that I make for my kids when they are throwing up and have diarrhea, which uses Black Lava Salt instead of regular table salt. It’s made from sea salt, which is full of trace minerals which are not found in regular table salt, as well as antioxidants, and is infused with activated charcoal which absorbs toxins and flushes them from your system.

Prevention isn’t difficult with proper sanitation and clean drinking water. Boiling or filtering water before drinking it or washing food in it will greatly reduce your chances of getting sick.

Proper disposal of fecal matter, boiling and/or bleaching the bedding and clothing of sick people, and thorough hand washing of those who come in contact with sick people is the best way to prevent further spread.

Typhoid

Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a symptomatic bacterial infection due to Salmonella typhi. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe and usually begin six to thirty days after exposure. Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several days. Weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches also commonly occur. Diarrhea and vomiting are uncommon. Some people develop a skin rash with rose colored spots. In severe cases there may be confusion. Without treatment symptoms may last weeks or months. Other people may carry the bacteria without being affected; however, they are still able to spread the disease to others.
Typhoid is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Risk factors include poverty as a result of poor sanitation and poor hygiene.

Treatment of disease is with antibiotics such as azithromycin, fluoroquinolones or third generation cephalosporins. Resistance to these antibiotics has been developing which has made treatment more difficult.

Prevention includes access to clean drinking and cooking water, washing hands, and good sanitation practices.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a contagious antibiotic-resistant strain of staph bacteria which is potentially fatal. MRSA began as a hospital-acquired infection. Anyone confined to a hospital, prison, or nursing home, where patients with open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection.

Cases of community-acquired strains of MRSA are on the rise, alarming doctors and healthcare professionals.

Prisons, military barracks, and homeless shelters can be crowded and confined, and poor hygiene practices may proliferate, thus putting inhabitants at increased risk of contracting MRSA. Cases of MRSA in such populations were first reported in the United States, and then in Canada. The earliest reports were made by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in US state prisons.

Subsequent reports of a massive rise in skin and soft tissue infections were reported by the CDC in the Los Angeles County Jail system in 2001, and this has continued.
In the news media, hundreds of reports of MRSA outbreaks in prisons appeared between 2000 and 2008.

MRSA on the skin can often look like a spider bite. But if the redness spreads, there’s pain and warmth to the touch, if the sore fills with pus or begins draining fluids, and if fever is present, you should suspect a MRSA infection.

Small cuts that turn into a MRSA infection can spread to the joints, heart, lungs, brain, and other organs.

To avoid the spread of MRSA, cover your wounds with clean, dry bandages until they’re fully healed to avoid skin-to-skin contact with others. Be sure to wash your hands often to avoid contracting MRSA. Bathe regularly, especially after exercising, don’t share personal hygiene items, sanitize gym/sports equipment, and wear flip-flops in public showers.
Manuka honey has been shown to effectively treat MRSA infections. High quality, pure Melaleuca (Tea Tree oil) has also successfully been used.

Without a doubt, the spice turmeric is the very best remedy to take when you have boils, staph infections, or MRSA.

Instructions: Take internally, one teaspoon of turmeric powder in half a cup of warm water three times a day, or take five capsules of turmeric 3x a day.
Continue for several days or more if you have recurring MRSA boils. You will see healing begin within a matter of hours. You do NOT have to touch the boil whatsoever or apply anything topically.

Norovirus

Often referred to as a “stomach bug”, Norovirus is a highly contagious, viral gastroenteritis.

Symptoms of Norovirus mainly include nausea, projectile vomiting, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, headache, and low-grade fever might also occur (that general “hit by a truck” feeling.) Although contracting Norovirus is definitely unpleasant, most people make a full recovery within a couple of days.

The virus is transmitted through contaminated water and food, person-to-person contact, lack of washing hands/personal hygiene, and contaminated surfaces. Particles of the virus can also be spread through the air by projectile vomiting, or by a toilet flush when vomit or diarrhea is present.

Thorough hand-washing is the best way to prevent Norovirus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have shown to be less effective against the virus than good old fashioned warm water and soap.

Activated charcoal is fantastic for stomach bugs and food poisoning. It acts quickly to absorb toxins and purges them from your body. An electrolyte solution can also be helpful if dehydration is threatening. Homemade bone broth from organically raised beef and chickens is also extremely nourishing. Lots of fluids and rest is important for a quick recovery.

Several times in the 1700’s, a young America’s most populous City, Philadelphia, endured Yellow Fever outbreaks; in response, citizens who could fled the city every July and August, during the so-called “Yellow Fever Season.”

During a long-term survival situation, diseases we regard as “eradicated” will rear their ugly heads and you must be prepared to implement steps to avoid sickness and treat it.

To learn more about these diseases and others, please check out The Prepper Project.