Why does cholera cause diarrhea

Left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people. Modern sewage and water treatment have virtually eliminated cholera in industrialized countries. But cholera still exists in Africa, Southeast Asia and Haiti. The risk of a cholera epidemic is highest when poverty, war or natural disasters force people to live in crowded conditions without adequate sanitation.

Cholera is easily treated. Death from severe dehydration can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution. Most people exposed to the cholera bacterium Vibrio cholerae don't become ill and don't know they've been infected.

But because they shed cholera bacteria in their stool for seven to 14 days, they can still infect others through contaminated water. Most cases of cholera that cause symptoms cause mild or moderate diarrhea that's often hard to tell apart from diarrhea caused by other problems.

Others develop more-serious signs and symptoms of cholera, usually within a few days of infection. Dehydration can develop within hours after cholera symptoms start and range from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of cholera dehydration include irritability, fatigue, sunken eyes, a dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry and shriveled skin that's slow to bounce back when pinched into a fold, little or no urinating, low blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat.

Dehydration can lead to a rapid loss of minerals in your blood that maintain the balance of fluids in your body. This is called an electrolyte imbalance. The risk of cholera is slight in industrialized nations. Even in areas where it exists you're not likely to become infected if you follow food safety recommendations.

To prevent vomiting, drink frequently but drink small amounts. If you do not have access to medical care, self-treat with an antibiotic for travellers' diarrhea. The basic treatment for cholera is fluid replacement, including salts and minerals.

This solution is given either orally, intravenously, or through the nose by a special tube into the stomach. Antibiotic pills are often given at the outset and can shorten the diarrhea significantly. Preventing cholera when you travel may not always be easy. However, cholera is extremely rare among travellers, with an estimated rate of 1 affected person per , travellers. Therefore, the vaccine may not be routinely recommended by doctors.

Following these precautions in affected areas can improve your chances of preventing cholera:. Here's a helpful saying to help you remember these strategies: "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it! All material copyright MediResource Inc.

Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria.

The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening. About 1 in 10 people with cholera will experience severe symptoms, which, in the early stages, include:. Health care providers should look for signs of dehydration when examining a patient with profuse watery diarrhea.

These include:. People with severe cholera can develop severe dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure. The World Health Organization WHO has developed packets of salts that are mixed with clean water to help restore fluids. These are cheaper and easier to use than the typical IV fluid. These packets are now being used around the world.

Severe dehydration can cause death. Most people will make a full recovery when they are given enough fluids. Call your health care provider if you develop severe watery diarrhea. Also call if you have signs of dehydration, including:. There is a cholera vaccine available for adults ages 18 to 64 who are traveling to an area with an active cholera outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend the cholera vaccine for most travelers because most people do not travel to areas where cholera is present.

Travelers should always be careful when eating food and drinking water, even if they are vaccinated. When outbreaks of cholera occur, efforts should be made to establish clean water, food, and sanitation. Vaccination is not very effective in managing outbreaks.