Cholera

Cholera

Cholera, an infection affecting the small intestine, leads to profuse watery diarrhea.

Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors

The bacterium Vibrio cholerae instigates cholera by secreting a toxin that prompts excessive water release in the intestines, resulting in severe diarrhea. Conditions conducive to cholera outbreaks include poor sanitation, overcrowding, conflicts, and famine.

Prevalent regions for cholera include Africa, Asia, India, Mexico, South and Central America. Contamination of food or water, particularly through consumption, serves as the primary mode of transmission. Certain vibrio bacteria, notably from shellfish like raw oysters, have also been implicated. Risk factors entail exposure to contaminated water, residency in or travel to cholera-prone areas.

Symptoms

Cholera manifests with abdominal cramps, dry mouth or mucous membranes, parched skin, excessive thirst, sunken or glassy eyes, diminished tears, lethargy, reduced urine output, nausea, rapid dehydration, elevated heart rate, sunken fontanelles in infants, unusual fatigue or drowsiness, vomiting, and sudden onset of fishy-smelling watery diarrhea. Symptoms range from mild to severe.

Signs and Tests

Diagnostic measures may include blood and stool cultures.

Treatment

Treatment aims to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Fluid replacement may be administered orally or intravenously, depending on the severity. Antibiotics may expedite recovery. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for the use of an oral rehydration solution, comprising sugar and electrolytes, as a cost-effective alternative to intravenous fluids, widely employed globally.