What is Cholera?
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. An estimated 3 to 5 million cases and over 100,000 deaths occur each year around the world. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. Severe cholera is marked by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. Without treatment, cholera can kill within hours.

Symptoms of Cholera
The symptoms of cholera vary from mild to severe. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms at all. In more serious cases, the first sign may be abdominal cramps followed by profuse watery diarrhea. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to shock and even death.

Treatment and Prevention of Cholera
The treatment for cholera includes rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics can also help reduce the severity and duration of illness.

Preventing cholera requires improvements in access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and hygiene practice, including proper handwashing with soap. Vaccines may also be used to prevent cholera, although their effectiveness varies with the strains of cholera present in a given area.