What Is Cholera? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Cholera is an easily spread bacterium infection caused by Vibrio cholera. It is one of the most dangerous water-borne diseases spread by contaminated water and food. Cholera causes extreme dehydration and, if not treated, can kill.

Causes of Cholera

Cholera is caused primarily by drinking water or eating food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae. Outbreaks are linked to poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water and can be exacerbated by conditions such as floods or natural disasters where hygiene is compromised. Water pollution is one of the main causes of such diseases in poorly regulated regions, where cholera has devastated many human settlements.

Symptoms of Cholera

Symptoms of cholera develop within hours or a few days of exposure. The most common symptoms consist of:

• Watery diarrhea

(often referred to as “rice-water” stools)

• Severe dehydration

resulting in dry skin, sunken eyes, and low blood pressure

• Vomiting and nausea

• Palpitations and muscle cramps

Cholera-related diarrhea is much more severe than other forms of diarrheal diseases — it can cause life-threatening dehydration in just a few hours.

Cholera in Pregnancy

Pregnant women have an increased risk of cholera complications. Severe dehydration can cause preterm labor, low birth weight, or even miscarriage. Pregnant women must keep themselves hydrated and get medical help if they feel cholera symptoms.

Treatment Options for Cholera

Early treatment is critical. The mainstay of treatment is rehydration and antibiotics:

Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)

The most effective and immediate treatment is to replace lost fluids with oral rehydration salts (ORS).

Intravenous (IV) Fluids

In moderate to severe cases of dehydration, IV fluids can be given to rehydrate quickly.

Cholera antibiotics medicines:

Some specific cholera antibiotics can help reduce both the severity and the duration of an infection (for example, doxycycline, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin).

Prevention and Control

Cholera is preventable with adequate sanitation, safe drinking water and good hygiene. Here are steps that can work:

• Only drink purified or boiled water.
• Wash hands with soap and clean water on regular basis.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked seafood.
• Manage sewage correctly to avoid contamination.

Final Thoughts

Cholera continues to pose a significant health risk in many regions, though awareness and prompt treatment are life-saving. Knowing the causes, identifying symptoms, and making sure that cholera treatment antibiotics are available can help in controlling outbreaks. When communities have access to pure water, then diseases caused by water pollution can be treated effectively, hence reducing the level of cholera and other water-borne diseases.

The key to cholera prevention is taking measures — including those that are preventative — to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of food and the environment.