Cholera

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Cholera

The disease, cholera, is an infection of the intestines, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. As stated in Microbes and Infections of the Gut, the bacterium is “a Gram-negative, comma- shaped, highly motile organism with a single terminal flagellum” (105). Cholera is characterized by the most significant symptom that presents with the disease, diarrhea, and victims can lose up to twenty liters of body fluids in a day. Cholera can be a serious disease, due to the serious dehydration that can occur, but it is only fatal if treatment is not administered as soon as possible. This research paper includes information on the causes of cholera, symptoms, ways of treatment, studies of treatments, complications that may occur, the tests and diagnosis for cholera, and finally, the ways the cholera bacterium may be transmitted.

Introduction

Cholera is a disease caused by the cholera bacterium Vibrio cholerae infecting the intestines. Usually, the illness is mild, and for some, symptoms of cholera never even present, but sometimes, the disease can also be severe. A severe case of cholera is “characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours” (Cholera Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment). Normally, in a gentler case of cholera, the infected person only has mild diarrhea. “In 5-10% of cases, however, patients develop very severe watery diarrhea and vomiting from 6 hours to 5 days after exposure to the bacterium. In these cases, the loss of large amounts of fluids can rapidly lead to severe dehydration. In the absence of adequate treatment, death can occur within hours” (Cholera Symptoms, Ca...

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...a Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment." MedicineNet.Com. 31 Aug. 2005. .

9.) "Cholera: Treatment." MayoClinic.Com. 30 Mar. 2007. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. .

10.) "Frequently Asked Questions and Information for Travellers." World Health Organization. .

11.) Goodwin, Charles S., ed. Microbes and Infections of the Gut. Melbourne, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Boston: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1984. 103-113.

12.) O'neal, Jackie. "Bengladesh Medical Study on Cholera." Kidsnewsroom.Org.

13.) "Treatment of Cholera." World Health Organization. .

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