Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that causes a large amount of watery diarrhea.
Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The bacteria releases a toxin that causes increased release of water in the intestines, which produces severe diarrhea.
Cholera occurs in places with poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine. Common locations for cholera include:
People get the infection by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
A type of vibrio bacteria also has been associated with shellfish, especially raw oysters.
Risk factors include:
Note: Symptoms can vary from mild to severe.
Tests that may be done include:
The objective of treatment is to replace fluid and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. Depending on your condition, you may be given fluids by mouth or through a vein (intravenous). Antibiotics may shorten the time you feel ill.
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.
Severe dehydration can cause death. Given adequate fluids, most people will make a full recovery.
Call your health care provider if :
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend cholera vaccines for most travelers. (Such a vaccine is not available in the United States.)
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.
V. cholerae; Vibrio
Seas C, Gotuzzo E. Vibrio cholera. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 214.
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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