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Cholera
Medical Questions » Cholera
| Name: Cholera |
| Also known as: |
| Severe infection of the bowel that occurs in areas with poor hygiene. |
Causes of Cholera
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae that is swallowed with contaminated water or food. The bacteria multiply rapidly in the body to irritate the gut, cause diarrhea, and then pass out in faces, contaminate water supplies, and infect others. |
Symptoms of Cholera
Very severe diarrhea with blood in the faces and rapid dehydration that may lead to death. A huge amount of fluid is lost from the body in a short time. The patient shivers, has a below normal temperature, shallow breathing, muscle cramps and becomes comatose. |
Tests for Cholera
Sample of faces cultured in a laboratory to identify the responsible bacteria. |
Treatment for Cholera
Replacing fluid loss by a drip into a vein (preferable) or an electrolyte mixture by mouth. An emergency mixture to rehydrate a patient can be made by mixing a level teaspoon of salt and eight level teaspoons of sugar or glucose into a liter of boiled water. This should be given freely to more than replace the fluid lost in the diarrhea. A course of tetracycline antibiotic will kill the infecting bacteria in the gut. A vaccination against cholera is available but gives less than 60% protection.
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Complications of Cholera of its treatment
Permanent damage to organs from dehydration. |
Likely Outcome of Cholera
Untreated, the death rate varies from 35% to 80%, but with proper care, 98% should survive. From the time of onset to death from dehydration can be a matter of a day or two in adults and only a few hours in children. |
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