What is cholera?
Cholera is a diarrheal illness caused by bacteria that infect the intestines. The infection is often mild, but it can sometimes be very severe, even life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of cholera?
Most people infected with cholera don’t become ill or show symptoms of infection.
When illness does occur, the majority of people experience only mild or moderate diarrhea.
About 1 in 20 people infected with cholera develop severe, watery diarrhea and vomiting. Stools are typically colourless with flecks of mucous, referred to as “rice water” diarrhea. Leg cramps can also occur. In these people rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment death can occur within hours.
How is cholera spread?
Cholera bacteria is found in the stool of an infected person. A person can get cholera by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated by the bacteria. Cholera can spread very quickly in areas where sewage and drinking water is not treated properly.
How is cholera treated?
Cholera is easily treated with fluids and antibiotics. People who develop severe diarrhea and vomiting in countries where cholera occurs should seek medical attention immediately.