Cholera symptoms are usually mild, but in some extreme conditions, they can be fatal if left untreated. Cholera mostly prevails in poverty and places affected by natural disasters or war. People in these places live in crowded conditions, and they don’t have access to proper sanitation. Cholera symptoms show its effects within a few hours of infection. In some cases, it may also take 3 to 5 days. Cholera is a type of infectious disease that will cause watery diarrhea, eventually leading to dehydration. If it is left untreated, it can lead to death. Cholera is caused by drinking water or eating food that contains a bacterium known as Vibrio Cholerae. During the 1800s, a large population of the United States was affected by cholera. But after the modernization of the water and sewage systems, the rate of this disease has lessened. Usually, cholera symptoms are not severe. But sometimes, it may be serious as well. 1/20th of every cholera-infected person suffers diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration.

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Cholera Symptoms: 5 risk factors you should be concerned about
Author: Anshuman Gohain
Health and Fitness Blogger
www.allhappyfitness.com

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Cholera symptoms are usually mild, but in some extreme conditions, they can be fatal if left
untreated.Choleramostlyprevailsinpovertyandplacesaffectedbynatural disastersorwar.People
in these places live in crowded conditions, and they don’t have access to proper sanitation.
What is Cholera?
Cholera is a type of infectious disease that will cause watery diarrhea, eventually leading to
dehydration. If it is left untreated, it can lead to death.
Cholera is caused by drinking water or eating food that contains a bacterium known as Vibrio
Cholerae. During the 1800s, a large population of the United States was affected by cholera. But
after the modernization of the water and sewage systems, the rate of this disease has lessened.
However, cholera is still prevalent in some other countries. According to the WHO, 1.3 to 4 million
cholera cases are reported each year.
Cholera Symptoms:
Cholerasymptomsshowitseffectswithinafew hoursof infection. In some cases, it may also take 3
to 5 days. Usually, cholera symptoms are not severe. But sometimes, it may be serious as well.
1/20th of every cholera-infected person suffers diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration.
Many people infectedwithcholerashow notominimal symptoms.However, they contribute to the
spreading of the disease.
Cholera symptoms include:
- Watery Diarrhea:
A person infected with cholera will have to suffer the problem of diarrhea, and he will have an
excessivefluidlossfromhisbody.A personcanlose upto one literof fluidperhour.The appearance
of cholera-related diarrhea is pale and milky.
- Vomiting:
Cholera-infectedpersonswill have togothroughvomitinginthe initial stage,anditcan even last for
many hours.
- Dehydration:
Aftera fewhoursof the infection,the symptomsof dehydration start to develop in the person. The
severitylevel of dehydrationmayvaryfromperson to person, and it can be mild in some cases, and
the others, it can be severe.
Cholera-relateddehydrationcanhave manysignsand symptoms. Common signs and symptoms are
dry mouths, fatigue, extreme thirst, sunken eyes, low blood pressure, little urinating, rapid heart
rate, irritability, muscle cramps, and loss of skin elasticity.
If this dehydration is left untreated, it can even lead to the death of a person in very less time.

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What causes cholera?
Cholera is caused by the harmful bacteria known as Vibrio Cholerae. This bacterium binds the
intestinal walls by interfering with the normal flow of chloride and sodium. It causes the small
intestine tosecrete water in large amounts, which leads to watery diarrhea. The person will face a
loss of fluids and salts from his body.
The main sources of Vibrio Cholerae are:
- Consuming vegetables and fruits in raw form.
- Eating seafood in raw or undercooked form.
- Drinking impure water and eating unclean foods.
Risk factors associated with cholera:
Anypersoncan contract cholera, but it is not equally harmful. But the severity of the infection will
depend on some risk factors associated with cholera:
- Unclean environment:
Cholera is prevalent in places that have poor sanitation and dirty water.

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- Stomach Acid Level:
The bacteriacannot survive inpeople withahighlevel of stomach acid.Buta lowerlevel of stomach
acid will be harmful.
- Blood Type:
People with type O blood group are more likely to experience the extreme version of cholera
infection.
- Eating raw seafood:
If you eat raw seafood such as shellfish, you have a greater chance of infection because it comes
from contaminated water.
- Sick family members:
If any of our householdmembersare sufferingfromcholeraandyou are in close contact with them,
your risk of contracting cholera increases.
As youcan see,choleraiscausedbycontaminated water and unhygienic food. If you eat good food
with safety measures and drink clean water, the risk of cholera infection becomes minor.
Complications of Cholera:
In severe cases, cholera can become fatal, and it is because the person is losing a large number of
electrolytesandfluids.People whodon’treceive propertreatmentinextreme cholerasituationscan
die.
Severe cases of dehydration can also develop other complications such as:
- Low Potassium Levels:
People lose manymineralsintheirstoolswhichalsoincludepotassium. Lower potassium levels can
impact the functioning of your heart and nerves, and it is life-threatening.
- Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar):
Children suffering from cholera are more likely to face the problem of low blood glucose in their
bodies. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body, and it can cause insensibility, seizures,
and lead death.
- Kidney Failure:
The kidneylosesthe abilitytofilter,andanexcessamountof electrolytes, fluids, and wastes builds
up inside the human body. It is a life-threatening condition.

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Cholera Prevention:
The bestpractice isto drinkwaterafterboilingit,andyoucan also drinkfromseal-packedbottledor
chemically disinfected water, which will help you protect yourself and your family.
Use boiled water, bottled water, or chemically disinfected water for drinking, preparing foods,
brushing,washingthe face and hands, washing dishes and utensils, washing fruits and vegetables,
etc.
You can disinfectwaterif youletitboil forone to three minutesorfilterit.Youcan also make use of
commercial chemical disinfectants.
On the occasion of traveling to cholera affected area, follow these simple techniques and protect
yourself and your family:
- Frequently washing your hands
- Avoid dairy products
- Eat raw fruits and vegetables by peeling these by yourself
- If you cannot boil the water, treat it with bleach or a chlorine product.
- Avoid eating raw shellfish

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However, if you develop watery diarrhea, then immediately visit a doctor.
Cholera Vaccination:
In the United States, a vaccine called Vaxchora is available, and it is given to adults traveling from
cholera-affectedareasinthe UnitedStates.The vaccine isliquid in form and given to the traveler at
least ten days before traveling.
Many other countries have developed oral vaccines too. You should consult a doctor or the public
health office in your locality for more information. Even though you can find vaccines, remember,
“Prevention is better than cure.”
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