Cholerais a bacterial infection that’s triggered by a microbe that thrives in water.
People who become seriously ill with cholera may become dehydrated very quickly due to acute watery diarrhea and vomiting.
Many times,cholera symptomsdo not develop at all.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Only about one in 10 people with cholera develop symptoms though they are usually mild.
In most cases, the illness resolves on its own.
Therapid loss of fluidsas much as 20 liters per daycan quickly lead to severe dehydration.
Therefore, it is important to watch for signs of dehydration in people with cholera.
The bacteria also can be transmitted through foods that have been washed or prepared with contaminated water.
Cholera bacteria thrive in areas where drinking water and sewage are not well managed.
Again, it generally does not cause a fever; the bacteria remain in the intestines.
There are lab tests for diagnosing cholera.
The most common test is a stool culture on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar.
Another method of testing is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, which is a molecular method.
There are also commercially available rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits that are sometimes used in epidemic configs.
Treatment
When treated properly, most people survive cholera.
Death from cholera is usually a consequence of dehydration.
The solution comes in a prepackaged powder that is mixed with water that has been boiled or treated.
ORS are available commercially in many stores, pharmacies, and hospitals.
Sometimes, governments distribute ORS when a cholera outbreak has occurred.
If an ORS treatment is not available, medical experts advise drinking low-sugar liquids such as water or broth.
Special care should be given to children or babies with cholera.
Babies who are breastfed should continue to drinkbreast milk.
Antidiarrheal medicinesaren’t recommended for treating cholera, because they prevent the flushing of the bacteria from the body.
Prevention
Although most cholera infections aren’t severe, people infected withV.
choleraecontinue to shed the bacteria back into the environment, through their feces.
There are ways to prevent getting cholera which include basic cleaning practices and vaccines.
Both organizations provide specific suggestions.
Foods should be thoroughly cooked, and individuals should peel fruits.
Frequent and thorough hand washing also is vital to avoiding cholera.
Cholera symptoms include watery diarrhea and vomiting, although most people with cholera don’t develop symptoms at all.
If you do develop cholera symptoms, take steps to avoid dehydration.
Oral rehydration solutions are widely available and highly effective.
A vaccine is also available if you plan to travel to an area where cholera is common.
2023 May 5;10:1155751. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1155751
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Causes of Cholera.
Centers for Disease Control.Cholera Clinical Detection
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating Cholera
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Dehydration.
Global Task Force on Cholera Control.Section 7: Case Management in Treatment Facilities
Medline Plus.Shock.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Cholera in Children
World Health Organization.Cholera.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing Cholera: Five Basic Steps
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cholera Vaccines
