Cholera

Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. These bacteria release a toxin that causes an increased amount of water to be released from cells that line the intestines. This increase in water produces severe diarrhea.

People get the infection from eating or drinking food or water that contains the cholera germ. Living in or traveling to areas where cholera is present raises the risk of getting it.

Cholera occurs in places with a lack of water treatment or sewage treatment, or crowding, war, and famine. Common locations for cholera include:

• Africa
• Some parts of Asia
• India
• Bangladesh
• Mexico
• South and Central America

Symptoms of cholera can be mild to severe. They include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Dry mucous membranes or dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Excessive thirst
• Glassy or sunken eyes
• Lack of tears
• Lethargy
• Low urine output
• Nausea
• Rapid dehydration
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Sunken "soft spots" (fontanelles) in infants
• Unusual sleepiness or tiredness
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea that starts suddenly and has a "fishy" odor

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood culture
• Stool culture and Gram stain

The goal of treatment is to replace fluid and salts that are lost through diarrhea. Diarrhea and fluid loss can be fast and extreme. It can be hard to replace lost fluids.

Depending on your condition, you may be given fluids by mouth or through a vein (intravenous, or IV). Antibiotics may shorten the time you feel ill.

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.

Complications may include:

• Severe dehydration
• Death

Call your health care provider if you develop severe watery diarrhea. Also call if you have signs of dehydration, including:

• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• "Glassy" eyes
• No tears
• Rapid pulse
• Reduced or no urine
• Sunken eyes
• Thirst
• Unusual sleepiness or tiredness

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend cholera vaccines for most travelers. (This vaccine is not available in the United States.)

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.