An infectious gastroenteritis caused by enterotoxin-producing strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholera and characterized by severe, watery diarrhea.
A form of intestinal infection that results in frequent watery stools, cramping abdominal pain and eventual collapse from dehydration.
A disease caused by a spirillum bacterium characterized by watery eyes, diarrhea, dehydration, and possible death. It is endemic in Africa and Southeast Asia, but does occur episodically in other parts of the world.
A serious bacterial disease spread through food or water which has been infected by Vibrio cholerae.
A severe gastrointestinal disease caused by an organism called vibrio cholera. This organism produces a toxin that binds to specific receptors on the intestinal cell wall. The toxin activates adenylate cyclase by causing ADP-ribosylation of the GαS protein involved in regulating the cyclase. This results in an elevation in cAMP levels, which turns on electrolyte secretion and thereby inhibits the active transport processes necessary for the absorption of nutrients from the gut. While water can pass freely from the intestine, other materials cannot and, as such, create an osmotic pull on the water. In turn, the water and unabsorbed nutrients fill the intestine stimulating peristalsis and evacuation of the colon. If the massive fluid and electrolyte losses are not replaced, the cholera victim does not survive and recover.
Acute infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, characterized by severe diarrhea and vomiting, often leading to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and, if untreated, death. Spread by water and food contaminated with the feces of infected persons, it is endemic in some parts of the world and frequently occurs at times of natural disasters (e.g., earthquake, floods). Treatment is by antibiotics and electrolyte replacement; a vaccine is available.
A serious bacterial disease caused by the organism Vibrio cholerae that tends to occur in epidemic form, primarily in Asian countries. It affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe, watery diarrhea and massive loss of fluids and electrolytes. A state of collapse results if fluid loss is not promptly replaced.
An acute intestinal infection that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. In epidemics, the organism is spread by water contaminated directly or indirectly with feces or vomit from people who are infected. The organism that causes cholera is able to grow well in some foods, including rice, but it cannot grow or survive in acidic foods, including carbonated beverages, and is killed by heat. Large epidemics are usually associated with fecal contamination of a water supply and street food. It can also be contracted by eating raw or undercooked shellfish that have been contaminated by sewage.
An acute infection of the small intestine by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhea (known as rice water stools) leading to dehydration. The disease is contracted from food or drinking water contaminated by feces from a patient. Cholera often occurs in epidemics; outbreaks are rare in good sanitary conditions. After an incubation period of 1-5 days symptoms commence suddenly; the resulting dehydration and imbalance in the concentration of body fluids can cause death within 24 hours. Treatment involves intravenous infusion of salt solution; antibiotics only hasten recovery. The mortality rate in untreated cases is over 50%. Vaccination against cholera is effective for only 6-9 months.
Bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. The patient suffers profuse watery diarrhoea, with resultant dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Formerly known as the Asiatic cholera, the disease has occurred in epidemics and pandemics for many centuries. It entered Europe in 1853 when Dr John Snow, a London anaesthetist, carried out seminal epidemiological work in Soho, London, which established that the source of infection was contaminated drinking water derived from the Broad Street pump. Several smaller epidemics involved Europe in the latter years of the 19th century, but none has arisen in Britain or the United States for many years. In 1971, the El Tor biotype of V. cholerae emerged, replacing much of the classical infection in Asia and, to a much lesser extent, Europe; parts of Africa were seriously affected. Recently a non-01 strain has arisen and is causing much disease in Asia. Cholera remains a major health problem (this is technically the seventh pandemic) in many countries of Asia, Africa and South America. It is one of three quarantinable infections.
An acute infection involving the entire small intestine, marked by profuse, watery, secretory diarrhea. Without treatment the severe loss of fluids and electrolytes can cause dehydration and vascular collapse. The incubation period is from a few hours to 4 or 5 days. Cholera is endemic in India, parts of Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa where it is a major cause of loss of life, especially after natural disasters.
An infectious disease of the small intestine that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting.
A bacterial infection affecting the small intestine gives rise to a disease of grave concern. This particular infection is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated drinking water or the ingestion of seafood and other food items that have been tainted with the fecal matter of infected individuals. Its prevalence is notable in regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America, India, and the Middle East. The symptoms encompass episodes of watery diarrhea and profound exhaustion, posing a significant risk of fatality, particularly among young children and the elderly.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. This disease is characterized by the occurrence of excessive and watery diarrhea, which can result in severe dehydration and, if left untreated, even death. The profuse loss of fluids and electrolytes through diarrhea can rapidly lead to dangerous levels of dehydration, necessitating prompt medical attention and appropriate fluid replacement therapy to prevent complications and potential fatalities.
Cholera infection is typically acquired through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. While outbreaks of the disease are known to occur regularly in northeast India, worldwide efforts to control cholera primarily revolve around improving sanitation practices. By implementing proper sanitation measures, such as access to clean drinking water and hygienic food handling practices, the transmission of cholera can be effectively reduced. These measures play a crucial role in preventing the spread of the disease and maintaining public health on a global scale.
Cholera typically manifests abruptly, appearing within a range of one to five days after infection, and is characterized by the onset of diarrhea, often accompanied by vomiting. The volume of fluid lost through diarrhea can exceed 500 ml per hour, and if this fluid is not adequately replaced, severe dehydration can rapidly ensue, leading to potential fatality within a matter of hours. The underlying mechanism behind the excessive fluid loss is attributed to a toxin produced by the cholera bacterium. This toxin greatly enhances the movement of fluid from the bloodstream into the large and small intestines, exacerbating the fluid imbalance and contributing to the severity of symptoms observed in cholera cases. Timely intervention with appropriate rehydration therapies is crucial in managing the fluid loss and preventing life-threatening complications.
The primary treatment for cholera involves the administration of oral rehydration solution, which is a mixture of water, salts, and sugar. This solution helps restore the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. In severe cases, when oral intake is not sufficient, intravenous infusion may be necessary to ensure adequate hydration. Antibiotic drugs can be used to shorten the duration of diarrhea and reduce the period of infectiousness. However, it is important to note that antibiotic resistance can be a concern, and appropriate antibiotics should be chosen based on the prevailing resistance patterns. With prompt rehydration and appropriate medical care, individuals affected by cholera typically experience a full recovery from the infection.
The worldwide control of cholera primarily relies on enhancing sanitation practices, with a particular focus on preventing sewage contamination of drinking water supplies. Vaccination against cholera is not generally recommended as a preventive measure. However, for travelers intending to visit areas affected by cholera, it is advised to take precautions such as consuming only boiled water or bottled beverages from trusted and reliable sources. By adhering to these guidelines, the risk of contracting the infection can be minimized. Promoting clean water sources and maintaining strict sanitation standards remain the key strategies in the global efforts to prevent the spread of cholera.
Cholera is a highly contagious illness resulting from infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is marked by intense vomiting, extensive diarrhea featuring watery stools, severe dehydration, agonizing muscle cramps, loss of voice, reduced urine output, and ultimately, collapse. Cholera is predominantly prevalent in Far Eastern nations, and individuals planning to visit these regions are strongly advised to receive vaccinations to safeguard against this disease.