Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that causes a large amount of watery diarrhea.
Alternative NamesV. cholerae; Vibrio
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCholera 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.
Signs and testsTests that may be done include:
TreatmentThe 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.
Expectations (prognosis)Severe dehydration can cause death. Given adequate fluids, most people will make a full recovery.
ComplicationsCall 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.
ReferencesSeas 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.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that causes a large amount of watery diarrhea.
Alternative NamesV. cholerae; Vibrio
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCholera 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.
Signs and testsTests that may be done include:
TreatmentThe 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.
Expectations (prognosis)Severe dehydration can cause death. Given adequate fluids, most people will make a full recovery.
ComplicationsCall 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.
ReferencesSeas 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 ByReview Date: 05/25/2010
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.
Vibrio cholera-01Vibrio cholera-0139Vibrio cholera-non-01Vibrio cholera-non-0139
cholera is poopy.
In cholera vaccination you are injected the dead cells of cholera. So you get antibodies to cholera. This vaccine is not very effective. The protection rate is some where 50 to 60 % only. So you can not keep faith on the vaccine for protection from cholera.
Chlorine does not cause cholera. You may get cholera, by absence of that little chlorine in public water supply.
You will not get the cholera by breathing the cholera bacilli. They can infect the gut only. You may get immunized to cholera. But immunity to cholera is short lasting and is not very effective as well. By injecting dead cholera bacilli you get the immunity for cholera.
Yes. You can be vaccinated for cholera. That is an opportunity to discuss about the preventive measures to be taken to prevent the cholera.
Vector, can transmit cholera; the disease.
anti-cholera meaning
anti-cholera meaning
A large outbreak of the deadly disease of cholera.
vibrio cholerae
clean water=no more cholera worldwide