What is the etiology of cholera?

The bacteria live in environments where sanitation or water treatment is inadequate. After a person swallows them, toxins can make the intestine release large amounts of water and salts. This can produce sudden, painless, watery diarrhoea, sometimes with vomiting.

Transmission occurs when stool from an infected person contaminates drinking water, food, hands or surfaces. A person with diarrhoea may spread germs even when the illness has not been confirmed. Diarrhoea itself does not identify cholera, because viruses, other bacteria, medicines and food-related illness can cause similar symptoms.

Choose boiled, treated or sealed water, including for ice and toothbrushing. Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before preparing food. Cook seafood and other foods thoroughly, eat food while hot, and avoid raw foods washed in uncertain water.

If watery diarrhoea begins, start Oral Rehydration Therapy promptly when available and contact a healthcare professional. Keep drinking in small, frequent amounts. A clinician can decide whether testing, antibiotics or referral is appropriate; antibiotics are not a substitute for replacing lost fluid.

Get urgent medical help for repeated watery stools, vomiting that stops you drinking, severe thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, fainting, confusion, unusual drowsiness, minimal urine or cold skin. Dehydration can worsen quickly, especially in young children and older adults.

IV Fluid Therapy may be necessary when losses are severe or oral fluids are not tolerated. Give sips only to an alert person who can swallow; an unconscious person needs emergency help rather than drinks by mouth.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a need for cholera testing, which rehydration solution is suitable, how to clean shared facilities, and whether close contacts need specific advice.