The main symptom of cholera is watery diarrhea VSports注册入口. It’s usually gray and slightly cloudy with bits of mucus in it (often called “rice water stool”). Episodes of diarrhea can quickly become severe and lead to life-threatening dehydration. Other symptoms include:.
Many people with cholera don’t have symptoms.
The bacteria Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) causes cholera. V. cholerae live in warm, mildly salty (brackish) water. When you drink water or eat food contaminated with V. cholerae, the bacteria stick to the walls of your small intestine. There, they release toxins that cause diarrhea V体育官网入口.
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You can get cholera from:
Cholera spreads from person to person indirectly (it doesn’t spread through casual contact, coughing or sneezing, like many contagious diseases). In areas without running water or ways to sanitize water, infected poop can contaminate water. When people drink the water, use it to prepare food or use it to wash their hands, the infection spreads.
Outbreaks of cholera are more likely to happen in areas without running water, toileting facilities or ways to sanitize drinking and cooking water. They can also happen in areas affected by a natural disaster (like an earthquake or flood).
While anyone who ingests V. cholerae can get infected, some people are at higher risk. You might be at increased risk for cholera if you:
Cholera is dangerous because of the risk of dehydration and losing electrolytes. This can cause complications that can quickly be fatal, including:
Healthcare providers diagnose cholera by testing a stool (poop) sample for V. cholerae. Your provider may also get blood tests done.
Treatment for cholera includes drinking plenty of fluids or getting intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration. Healthcare providers also sometimes prescribe antibiotics like doxycycline, erythromycin or azithromycin to help you feel better.
Providers also treat kids between the ages of 6 months and 5 years with zinc supplements.
Antidiarrheal medicines aren’t recommended for cholera and could make symptoms worse.
If you have cholera — or any illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting — it’s critical that you drink plenty of fluids before you get dehydrated. Water, broth and oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte® or Ceralyte®) are the best choices to keep you hydrated. Avoid sports drinks, fruit juices and soda — the high sugar content can make diarrhea worse. You should also avoid anti-diarrheal medications.
Diarrhea can quickly dehydrate you. If you have severe bouts of diarrhea or vomiting, don’t hesitate to go to the emergency room or seek emergency medical attention. Call 911 or get to the ER right away if you’ve had diarrhea or vomiting and experience:
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Yes, you can recover from cholera without antibiotics. But you do need to manage the symptoms by getting plenty of fluids and replacing electrolytes to avoid getting severely ill.
With treatment — managing fluids to prevent dehydration — the mortality (death) rate of cholera is less than 1%. Without treatment, it’s over 50%.
It might be helpful to ask your provider:
Drinking water that’s been sanitized and washing your hands with clean water and soap are the best ways to reduce your risk of cholera. Drink and cook with bottled water if you’re unsure whether the water where you are is safe to consume.
If you live in or are traveling to a place where you’ll be at higher risk for cholera, there are oral vaccines available. They can help reduce your risk of getting sick, but don't eliminate your risk entirely.
On a larger scale, the best way to prevent cholera is for people to have access to clean drinking water and toilet facilities. This requires global humanitarian and public health efforts.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a website where travelers can check for outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. (Visit their Travel Health Notices website.)
If you live in an area with cholera or plan to travel to one, make sure you’re careful about the water you drink. Wash your hands and prepare food carefully. The following supplies might help:
If you have severe diarrhea from cholera or another cause, contact a healthcare provider immediately. You must replace fluids and electrolytes to avoid dehydration. This complication can cause serious health problems and even death.
If you have severe diarrhea from cholera or another cause, contact a healthcare provider immediately. You must replace fluids and electrolytes to avoid dehydration. This complication can cause serious health problems and even death. While you might not hear about it often, cholera is still a major health concern worldwide. There are coordinated public health efforts to reduce cholera outbreaks and deaths in the most impacted regions.
You can take care of yourself and others by getting vaccinated if you’re traveling to areas where cholera is widespread. Treat diarrhea right away by drinking plenty of water, broth or oral rehydration solutions. And don’t hesitate to get emergency help if you’re not sure if you can stay hydrated.
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Last reviewed on 10/25/2024.
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