Cholera Symptoms Disease

Cholera is an intestinal infection brought about by eating food or drinking water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae. Someone infected with this bacterium could start to experience symptoms within five days, but he may not experience symptoms at all. According to the Mayo Clinic, only about one in 10 infected people experience noticeable symptoms. Unfortunately, an infected person still excretes the cholera bacterium in stool for one to two weeks, meaning he has the potential to infect others.

Watery Diarrhea

• Severe and watery diarrhea will develop suddenly as soon as the cholera bacterium has been incubated, between one and five days. It comes in copious amounts and often contains dead cells and mucus, bringing on a pale and milky appearance. Although the diarrhea is often painless, the amount of fluid that is lost (as much as a quart per hour, according to the Mayo Clinic) is what makes it so serious.

Dehydration

• As soon as the diarrhea begins, an infected person is at risk for becoming mildly to severely dehydrated. If she loses more than 10 percent of her body weight due to diarrhea, she is severely dehydrated. Some signs and symptoms of dehydration associated with cholera include dry mouth, dry and shriveled skin, irritability, little to no urination and low blood pressure.

Shock

• If cholera-related dehydration is severe enough, it can lead to shock. When low blood volume causes a person's blood pressure to drop, less oxygen reaches his tissues. Enough oxygen deprivation can cause a person to die within minutes.

Other Symptoms

• Muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting are also symptoms of cholera. Nausea and vomiting may arise in the beginning and end of the infection and last for hour-long sessions or more. Muscle cramping, due to loss of essential salts in the body in dehydration, also can be an issue.

Cholera in Children

• Children are at risk of developing the same symptoms as adults, but they are more susceptible to fever, convulsions, drowsiness or coma. Be extra vigilant if you believe your child has been exposed to the cholera bacterium.

See a Doctor

• You are at a much lower risk of becoming infected with the cholera bacterium if you live in a developed country. However, it is still possible. If you believe you have been infected and are experiencing diarrhea, seek medical assistance immediately. Severe diarrhea, even if it is not cholera-related, can be dangerous if not attended to properly.