Cholera

Cholera
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A person with severe dehydration due to cholera, causing sunken eyes and wrinkled hands and skin
Synonyms	Asiatic cholera, epidemic cholera
Specialty	Infectious disease
Symptoms	Large amounts of watery diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps
Complications	Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance
Usual onset	2 hours to 5 days after exposure
Duration	A few days
Causes	Vibrio cholerae spread by fecal–oral route
Risk factors	Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, poverty
Diagnosis	Stool test
Prevention	Improved sanitation, clean water, hand washing, cholera vaccines
Treatment	Oral rehydration therapy, zinc supplementation, intravenous fluids, antibiotics
Prognosis	Less than 1% mortality rate with proper treatment, untreated mortality rate 50–60%
Frequency	3–5 million people a year
Deaths	28,800 (2015)

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distribution of cholera

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Vibrio cholerae

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Cholera bacteria SEM

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CholeraToxin

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is characterized by severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. The disease is primarily spread through contaminated water and food.

Etiology

The causative agent of cholera, Vibrio cholerae, is a Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium. The bacterium produces a toxin, known as cholera toxin, which is responsible for the severe diarrhea associated with the disease.

Transmission

Cholera is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route. This can occur when an individual consumes water or food contaminated with the feces of an infected person. In many cases, the contamination is due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of cholera are severe diarrhea and vomiting. This can lead to extreme dehydration and, if not treated promptly, can be fatal. Other symptoms may include rapid heart rate, loss of skin elasticity, low blood pressure, and muscle cramps.

Treatment

The mainstay of treatment for cholera is rehydration therapy. This involves the administration of oral rehydration salts to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, intravenous fluids may be required. Antibiotics may also be used to shorten the duration of the illness and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Prevention

Prevention of cholera primarily involves improving sanitation and hygiene practices. This includes ensuring access to safe drinking water and proper disposal of human waste. Vaccination against cholera is also available and can provide protection for up to two years.

Epidemiology

Cholera is endemic in many parts of the world, particularly in regions with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Major outbreaks have occurred in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.