Cholera
Other namesAsiatic cholera, epidemic cholera
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A person with severe dehydration due to cholera, causing sunken eyes and wrinkled hands and skin.
SpecialtyInfectious disease
SymptomsLarge amounts of watery diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps
ComplicationsDehydration, electrolyte imbalance
Usual onset2 hours to 5 days after exposure
DurationA few days
CausesVibrio choleraespread by fecal-oral route
Risk factorsPoor sanitation, not enough clean drinking water, poverty
Diagnostic methodStool test
PreventionImproved sanitation, clean water, hand washing, cholera vaccines
TreatmentOral rehydration therapy, zinc supplementation, intravenous fluids, antibiotics
Frequency3–5 million people a year
Deaths28,800 (2015)