About
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is characterized by sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Vibrio cholerae produces a toxin called ‘enterotoxin’ which causes the symptoms of cholera.

A type of cholera bacteria called El Tor biotype tends to cause milder disease than the classic biotype.
In more than 90% of affected people, the illness is of mild or moderate severity and is difficult todistinguish clinically from other forms of diarrheal diseases. Less than 10% of infected persons develop typical cholera with signs of moderate or severe dehydration that can sometimes lead to death. The mortality rate without treatment is between 25% and 50%.
Cholera is endemic in India and Southeast Asia.Cholera outbreaks can occur sporadically in any part of the world where water supplies, sanitation, food safety and hygiene practices are inadequate.
Cholera is most frequently transmitted by food and water sources contaminated with the causative bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera is diagnosed by patient history and stool examination. The main treatment for cholera is fluid and electrolyte replacement either orally or intravenously. In severe cases, an effective antibiotic treatment can reduce the volume and duration of diarrhea and the period of Vibrio cholerae excretion.
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
-
APA
Dr. Trupti Shirole. (2016, October 07). Cholera - Causes - Pathogenicity - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention - FAQs. Medindia. Retrieved on Jan 27, 2023 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/waterborne/cholera.htm.
-
MLA
Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Cholera - Causes - Pathogenicity - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention - FAQs". Medindia. Jan 27, 2023. <https://www.medindia.net/patients/waterborne/cholera.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Cholera - Causes - Pathogenicity - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention - FAQs". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/patients/waterborne/cholera.htm. (accessed Jan 27, 2023).
Harvard
Dr. Trupti Shirole. 2021. Cholera - Causes - Pathogenicity - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - Prevention - FAQs. Medindia, viewed Jan 27, 2023, https://www.medindia.net/patients/waterborne/cholera.htm.
Latest Publications and Research on Cholera
- Vibrio cholerae-Symbiont Interactions Inhibit Intestinal Repair in Drosophila. - Published by PubMed
- High cholera vaccination coverage following emergency campaign in Haiti: Results from a cluster survey in three rural Communes in the South Department, 2017. - Published by PubMed
- Improving Cross-Border Preparedness and Response: Lessons Learned from 3 Lassa Fever Outbreaks Across Benin, Nigeria, and Togo, 2017-2019. - Published by PubMed
- Geographically distinct North-East Indian Helicobacter pylori strains are highly sensitive to clarithromycin but are levofloxacin resistant. - Published by PubMed
- Molecular mechanism of sulfur chemolithotrophy in the betaproteobacterium Pusillimonas ginsengisoli SBSA. - Published by PubMed
Grace is mean to me all the time!!!
In Zimbabwe the National Water Authority is failing to supply water to large parts of the urban areas. This has resulted in residences drawing on Boerhole Water and others purchasing from borehole owners. My question is what is the risk of being infected by the Cholera Bacteria especially in schools who use the water to wash with but not to drink?
Follow @MedIndia