What should you know about Vibrio cholerae bacteria?

Vibrio cholerae is a bacterium that can cause cholera, leading to watery diarrhoea and potentially rapid loss of fluids and salts. Infection is usually acquired by swallowing contaminated water or food. The main danger is dehydration, rather than the bacteria travelling throughout the body. Prompt rehydration can replace what is being lost while a clinician assesses whether additional treatment is needed.

Vibrio cholerae affects the intestine. Toxins made by some strains disturb the normal movement of water and salts across the intestinal lining. This can produce frequent, very watery stools and sometimes vomiting. The illness may become serious when the body loses fluid faster than it can be replaced. Signs of dehydration include intense thirst, a dry mouth, reduced urination, dizziness, unusual tiredness, or confusion.

A person can spread the bacterium when infected stool contaminates hands, food, or water. Careful handwashing with soap and safe handling of drinking water and food help reduce transmission. Diarrhoea has many possible causes, so symptoms alone cannot confirm cholera; testing and a clinical assessment may be needed, especially after exposure in an area where cholera is occurring.

Start replacing fluids promptly with an appropriate oral rehydration solution, following the preparation instructions on its packet. Take frequent small sips if nausea makes drinking difficult. Continue breastfeeding or usual feeding when possible, and avoid preparing food for other people until you have received medical advice.

Contact a healthcare professional urgently if watery diarrhoea is heavy, continues, or follows possible exposure to contaminated water or food. A clinician may recommend oral rehydration, treatment through a vein when dehydration is severe, laboratory testing, or medicine targeted to the situation. Do not rely on anti-diarrhoeal medicine without medical advice, particularly if there is marked weakness or vomiting.

Seek urgent medical care for signs of significant dehydration, such as fainting, confusion, very little or no urine, severe dizziness, a fast heartbeat, or inability to drink. Urgent assessment is also needed when repeated vomiting prevents fluid replacement, diarrhoea is profuse, or a child, older adult, pregnant person, or person with a long-term illness is becoming weak.

While arranging care, use safe drinking water and oral rehydration solution if available. Wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before handling food. If the person becomes difficult to wake, collapses, or cannot swallow safely, call emergency services rather than trying to give drinks by mouth.

Ask whether your symptoms and recent food, water, or travel exposure make cholera testing appropriate; which rehydration method fits your condition; how to recognise worsening dehydration; and how long to take precautions around food preparation and close contacts.