MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cholera

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Cholera

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Alternative names Return to top

V. cholerae; Vibrio

Definition Return to top

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It results in profuse, watery diarrhea.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Cholera is an acute illness characterized by watery diarrhea. The toxin released by the bacteria causes increased secretion of water and chloride ions in the intestine, which can produce massive diarrhea. Death can result from the severe dehydration brought on by the diarrhea.

Cholera occurs in epidemics when conditions of poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine are present. Endemic areas include India, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and more recently, South and Central America, and Mexico. The infection is acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water.

A type of Vibrio bacteria also has been associated with shellfish, especially raw oysters. Risk factors include residence or travel in endemic areas and exposure to contaminated or untreated drinking water.

Symptoms Return to top

sudden onset of watery diarrhea, up to 1 liter (quart) per hour
- diarrhea has a "rice water" appearance, where the stool looks like water with flecks of rice in it
- diarrhea has a "fishy" odor
dehydration can occur rapidly
- rapid pulse (heart rate)
- dry skin
- dry mucus membranes or dry mouth
- thirst, excessive
- "glassy" eyes or sunken eyes
- no tears
- lethargy
- unusual sleepiness or tiredness
- low urine output
- sunken "soft spots" (fontanelles) in infants
abdominal cramps
nausea
vomiting

Note: Symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Signs and tests Return to top

Gram stain and stool culture show cholera
blood culture may show cholera

Treatment Return to top

The objective of treatment is to replace fluid and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. Depending on the condition of the person, oral or intravenous fluid will be given. Tetracycline and other antibiotics may shorten the duration of the symptoms.

Note: Tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all the permanent teeth have come in, because it can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed an oral rehydration solution that is cheaper and easier to use than the typical intravenous fluid. This solution of sugar and electrolytes is now being used internationally.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Severe dehydration can cause death. Given adequate fluids, most people will make a full recovery.

Complications Return to top

severe dehydration

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if profuse watery diarrhea develops.

Call your health care provider if signs of dehydration occur, including rapid pulse (heart rate), dry skin, dry mouth, thirst, "glassy" eyes, lethargy, sunken eyes, no tears, reduced or no urine, and unusual sleepiness or tiredness.

Prevention Return to top

Two vaccines are available that give short-lived, limited protection against the cholera bacteria -- neither is currently available in the U.S. Booster doses are given regularly for people who remain in an area where cholera is a risk.

Travelers should always take precautions with food and drinking water, even if vaccinated.

When outbreaks of cholera occur, efforts should be directed toward establishing clean water, food, and sanitation because vaccination is not very effective in managing outbreaks.

Update Date: 1/16/2004

Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.