Cholera Symptoms
Cholera symptoms can very from mild to severe and the onset of the illness
can occur suddenly. In rare cases, symptoms might be absent altogether or
delayed. The incubation period for cholera ranges from three hours to six days.
Blood culture, gram stain and stool culture can be used to test for the disease.
Symptoms of cholera may include:
- Watery diarrhea - The diarrhea is frequent and gushing. It resembles
rice water and has a fishy odor. There can be as much a liter (a quart) of
diarrhea per hour.
- Dehydration - Dehydration can occur rapidly and is characterized by a
low urine output, a rapid pulse and heart rate, lethargy and sleepiness. The
skin and mouth will probably feel dry and there is extreme thirst. The eyes
might be glassy. Cheeks, eyes and the fontanel (in infants) might have a
sunken feel and appearance. Dehydration can cause the voice to change,
becoming faint and high-pitched. Severe dehydration, resulting from the
diarrhea and vomiting, can lead to shock and eventually death. A loss of 10%
or more of the body weight indicates severe dehydration.
- Frequent vomiting
- Nausea
- Muscular cramps, usually in the legs and abdomen
- Shock - Dehydration can lead to hypovolemic shock, which can cause death
within minutes.
Symptoms of cholera are caused do to an infection of the small intestine, by
the bacterium 'vibrio cholerae' and is characterized mainly by profuse watery
diarrhea. The diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and, if left untreated,
death. The bacteria releases a toxin that causes the intestine to evacuate
chloride ions, along with a large amount of water, as diarrhea.
Cholera symptoms are treated by replacing the electrolytes and fluids lost
through diarrhea. Re-hydration can be oral or intravenous. Tetracycline and
other antibiotics will probably be prescribed to alleviate or reduce the
symptoms. Most cholera sufferers make a full recovery after adequate
re-hydration.
Cholera can be epidemic in areas such as Asia, India, Africa, the Mediterranean,
Mexico and South and Central America. Such places are prone to crowding, poor
sanitation, famine and war. The disease can be acquired by eating contaminated
food or drinking contaminated water. The source is usually the feces of an
infected person. Shellfish, especially raw oysters, can host a type of vibrio
bacteria and are best avoided in high risk areas. There are vaccinations
available but it is still wise to be careful with food and water in places with
poor sanitation.
If you have recently visited a high risk area and are experiencing any of the
cholera symptoms described above, be sure to seek medical advice as soon as
possible.
Cholera Symptoms to C
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