Cholera
- scientific name
- Vibrio cholerae
- cause
- a germ called Vibrio cholerae
- spread
- The cholera germ is passed in stool. It is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the fecal waste of an infected person.
- incubation
- 12 hours to 5 days
- symptoms
- severe diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness, leg cramps, rapid fluid loss that can lead to shock
- communicability
- not contagious with proper hygiene
- prevention
- The single most important preventive measure is to avoid consuming uncooked foods or water in foreign countries where cholera occurs.
- treatment
- replacement of fluids by mouth or by the intravenous route is critical