Cholera

Cholera is a bacterial disease causing severe diarrhoea.

1 May 2021 | 5 Min. Reading Time

Overview

Cholera is a bacterial disease causing severe diarrhoea. The key symptom of a severe and potentially fatal attack of cholera is sudden slimy diarrhoea resembling rice water, up to 30x/day. This is accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. It is important to replace the lost fluids when ill. Hygiene measures must be observed when travelling in countries where cholera occurs.

Symptoms

Incubation period: short, from a few hours to five days

Diarrhoea (main symptom)
- Usually moderately severe (90% of cases)
- Severe attack: slimy diarrhoea resembling rice water, up to 30x/day
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
No fever

Complications

Potentially fatal due to severe loss of mineral salts and fluids
- Dry, cold skin
- Low body temperature
- Extreme thirst
- Fatigue, light-headedness
- Disorientation, including loss of consciousness (coma)
- Muscle spasms
- Fast pulse
- No urination (kidney failure)
If not treated properly, symptoms can cause cardiovascular failure in just a few hours

Causes and treatment

Causes

Pathogen: Vibrio cholerae bacterium
Transmission
o Bacteria are excreted in stool or vomit
o Infection through contaminated water or food

Risk factors

Travelling to countries with low standards of hygiene (developing countries)
Undernourished, socially weak people
Immune deficiency
Older people
Newborns, infants

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

Stool analysis (microscopic examination)
Faecal culture (identification of bacteria)
Physical examination

Possible therapies

Isolation
Sufficient replacement of lost fluids and salts
- Rehydration solutions
- Infusions, if necessary
Medication
- For nausea and vomiting
- Painkillers and antispasmodics, if necessary
- Antibiotics

What can I do myself?

Basic hygiene measures
- Drinking water/food and hand hygiene
- See chapter on Tropical and travel diseases
Inform travel doctor/institute for tropical diseases at least 3 months before leaving on a trip
- Endemic areas: cholera vaccination is recommended
Avoid travelling to developing countries with newborns, infants and older people
Don’t self-treat by taking medication for diarrhoea and vomiting
- Stool must be passed, otherwise the bacteria remain in the bowel
Special rehydration solutions from the pharmacy to replace lost fluids and mineral salts
WHO oral rehydration solution (as a temporary measure until a doctor can be reached!)
- 1 litre boiled water
- ¾ tsp. salt, 4 level tsp. sugar
- Pinch of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- 1 mashed banana, 1 cup orange juice; mix