Symptoms of cholera
By jasjon
@jasjon (252)
Philippines
December 21, 2006 8:38pm CST
The onset of cholera is usually sudden, with incubation periods ranging from six hours to five days.
Cholera symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
* Diarrhea (look out for the characteristic ‘rice water’ stools or diarrhea that has a fishy odor);
* Dehydration. Signs of dehydration include a rapid pulse, dry skin, dry mucous membranes, extreme thirst, lethargy, unusual sleepiness, infrequent urination or sunken fontanel’s in infants;
* Abdominal cramps;
* Nausea;
* Vomiting;
* Testing for cholera is done by taking a stool culture. (cholera does not get into blood).
1 person likes this
3 responses
@paulnet (748)
• India
30 Mar 07
It is caused by a specific bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. When an adequate quantity of the bacteria has passed into the stomach in food they accumulate and begin to produce toxins in the body. The cholera toxin has the unpleasant ability to affect the cells of the gastrointestinal tract so that the affected person doesn't just get ordinary diarrhoea, but also starts to lose very large quantities of fluid. It is this fluid loss that can be very serious. Here are some tips:-
Take only boiled water or water that has been sterilised or treated in another way. Hot coffee and tea, fizzy water are usually safe enough to drink.
Boil unpasteurised milk before you take it.
Avoid ice cubes in drinks.
Food must be properly prepared and still hot when it is served.
Avoid raw fruit and vegetables, unless you peel it yourself. n' also raw fish and shellfish.
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
22 Dec 06
Nausea
vomiting
profuse diarrhea with abdominal cramps.
Stools, which resemble "rice water", contain mucus, epithelial cells, and large number of cholera bacteria.
There is a rapid loss of fluid, electrolytes, which lead to
- profound dehydration
- circulatory collapse
- anuria.
The mortality rate without treatment is between 25% and 50%.
A variety of cholera bacteria called El Tor biotype tends to cause milder disease than the classic biotype.
http://www.medindia.net/patients/waterborne/cholera_diagnosis.htm
