infectious diseases
Cholera
Symptoms and Signs of Cholera
The incubation period for cholera is 1 to 3 days. Cholera can be subclinical, a mild and uncomplicated episode of diarrhea, or a fulminant, potentially lethal disease. Abrupt, painless, watery diarrhea and vomiting are usually the initial symptoms. Significant nausea is typically absent. Stool loss in adults may exceed 1 L/hour but is usually much less. Often, stools consist of white liquid void of fecal material (rice-water stool). The resultant severe water and electrolyte depletion leads to intense thirst, oliguria, muscle cramps, weakness, and marked loss of tissue turgor, with sunken eyes and wrinkling of skin on the fingers. Hypovolemia, hemoconcentration, oliguria and anuria, and severe metabolic acidosis with potassium depletion (but normal serum sodium concentration) occur. If cholera is untreated, circulatory collapse with cyanosis and stupor may follow. Prolonged hypovolemia can cause renal tubular necrosis. Most patients are free ofV. choleraewithin 2 weeks after cessation of diarrhea; chronic biliary tract carriers are rare. 