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Symptoms start two hours to five days after exposure. [3] Cholera is caused by a number of types of Vibrio cholerae, with some types producing more severe disease than others. [2] It is spread mostly by unsafe water and unsafe food that has been contaminated with human feces containing the bacteria. [2] Undercooked shellfish is a common source. [9]
Cholera is a bacterial infection of the intestines that leads to severe diarrhea and rapid dehydration, "which can quickly become life-threatening without treatment," says Dr. Jason Nagata, a ...
Vibrio cholerae is a species of Gram-negative, facultative anaerobe and comma-shaped bacteria. [1] The bacteria naturally live in brackish or saltwater where they attach themselves easily to the chitin-containing shells of crabs, shrimp, and other shellfish.
The epidemic of cholera, cause unknown and prognosis dire, had reached its peak. [23] Cholera afflicted Mexico's populations in 1833 and 1850, prompting officials to quarantine some populations and fumigate buildings, particularly in major urban centers, but nonetheless the epidemics were disastrous. [24] [25]
Symptoms usually get worse over the course of two weeks, then stabilize, and finally begin to improve. [4] Motor problems, including chorea, settle within an average of 2–3 months. [4] Recurrence is seen in 16–40% of cases. It is sometimes but not always associated with a rise in ASO titre or other evidence of new streptococcal infection.
The study of cholera in England by John Snow, between 1849 and 1854, led to significant advances in the field of epidemiology. [ 4 ] [ 10 ] Seven large outbreaks have occurred over the last 200 years, with millions of deaths.
Symptoms of the disease appear between 12 hours and 5 days of infection; however, only 10% of infected people show severe symptoms of watery diarrhoea, vomiting and leg cramps. [8] Cholera is diagnosed through a stool test or rectal swab, and today treatment takes the form of an oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Treatment of a cholera infection consists of replenishing lost fluid and electrolytes by intravenous or oral solutions, and by antibiotics. [2] El Tor outbreaks can be prevented by better standards of sanitation, filtering and boiling water, [ 4 ] thoroughly cooking seafood, and washing vegetables and fruits before consumption.