What should you know about cholera and tuberculosis?

Cholera is an intestinal infection that can cause abrupt watery diarrhoea, vomiting and fast fluid loss. Tuberculosis, also called TB, is caused by another type of bacteria and commonly affects the lungs. It may cause a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss or swollen glands, although symptoms vary. Cholera and tuberculosis are not the same illness, and cholera symptoms do not diagnose TB. A clinician considers exposure, duration, examination findings and immune health.

For TB information, see [Tuberculosis](/conditions/tuberculosis/), [Cough](/symptoms/cough/), [Fever](/symptoms/fever/) and [Night Sweats](/symptoms/night-sweats/).

Watery diarrhoea needs immediate attention to hydration. Use correctly prepared oral rehydration solution in frequent small sips and arrange medical assessment. If a cough, fever or night sweats have persisted, tell the clinician about close contact with TB, previous TB treatment, travel and any immune condition. Testing may include [Tuberculosis Screening](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/tuberculosis-screening/) and, when appropriate, a [Chest X-Ray](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/chest-x-ray/). Do not stop prescribed TB treatment without medical advice, and avoid sharing indoor air closely with others until a clinician explains the precautions.

Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, inability to drink, repeated vomiting, very little urine, severe weakness or breathing difficulty during diarrhoea. A cough with coughing blood, chest pain, severe breathlessness or marked deterioration also requires urgent assessment. Fever with possible TB exposure should be checked promptly, but the symptom alone does not establish TB. People with HIV infection or another weakened immune system should discuss concerning symptoms early; see [HIV Infection](/conditions/hiv-infection/).

Ask whether dehydration treatment and TB testing are both needed, which tests are appropriate, how to protect household members, and which symptoms mean you should return urgently.