cholera

Cholera () is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea lasting a few days. Vomiting and muscle cramps may also occur. Diarrhea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This can in turn result in sunken eyes, cold or cyanotic skin, decreased skin elasticity, wrinkling of the hands and feet, and, in severe cases, death. Symptoms start two hours to five days after exposure.

AI overview

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by certain strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which can produce severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. It matters because the diarrhea can cause life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance within hours, potentially leading to death if untreated.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).name: Cholera
Medical condition (new).synonyms: Asiatic cholera, epidemic cholera
Medical condition (new).image: PHIL 1939 lores.jpg
Medical condition (new).caption: A person with severe dehydration due to cholera, causing sunken eyes and wrinkled hands and skin
Medical condition (new).field: Infectious disease
Medical condition (new).symptoms: Large amounts of watery diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps
Medical condition (new).complications: Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance
Medical condition (new).onset: 2 hours to 5 days after exposure
Medical condition (new).duration: A few days
Medical condition (new).causes: Vibrio cholerae spread by fecal–oral route
Medical condition (new).risks: Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, poverty
Medical condition (new).diagnosis: Stool test
Medical condition (new).prevention: Improved sanitation, clean water, hand washing, cholera vaccines
Medical condition (new).treatment: Oral rehydration therapy, zinc supplementation, intravenous fluids, antibiotics
Medical condition (new).prognosis: Less than 1% mortality rate with proper treatment, untreated mortality rate 50–60%
Medical condition (new).frequency: 3–5 million people a year
Medical condition (new).deaths: 7074 (2025)

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: Adult cholera patient.jpg

Show 8 more facts

Commons category: Cholera
Commons gallery: Cholera
exact match: www.orpha.net/ORDO/Orphanet_173
minimal incubation period in humans: 12
maximal incubation period in humans: 72
ICD-9-CM: 001.9
number of cases: 190549
subject named as: Cholera

Sources (15)

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Article

36 sections

Contents

Signs and symptoms
Cause
Transmission
Susceptibility
Mechanism
Genetic structure
Antibiotic resistance
Diagnosis
Prevention
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Surveillance
Vaccination
Sari filtration
Treatment
Fluids
Electrolytes
Antibiotics
Zinc supplementation
Prognosis
Epidemiology
History of outbreaks
Research
Global Strategy
Society and culture
Health policy
Notable cases
In popular culture
Country examples
Zambia
Nigeria
India
Democratic Republic of Congo
Explanatory notes
References
Further reading
External links

Cholera is caused by a number of types of Vibrio cholerae, with some types producing more severe disease than others. It is spread mostly by unsafe water and unsafe food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria. Undercooked shellfish is a common source. Humans are the only known host for the bacteria. Risk factors for the disease include poor sanitation, insufficient clean drinking water, and poverty. Cholera can be diagnosed by a stool test, or a rapid dipstick test, although the dipstick test is less accurate.