What Is Cholera? -- Vibrio Cholerae
- Vibrio cholerae Serogroup non-O1
- Vibrio cholerae Serogroup O1.
Vibrio cholerae Serogroup O1 is the type of
Vibrio cholerae that most often causes cholera.
Vibrio cholerae serogroup O139, a
Vibrio cholerae Serogroup non-O1 bacterium, is the other
cause of cholera.
What Is Cholera? -- Transmission
Cholera transmission typically occurs by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with
Vibrio cholerae.
There are two ways that Vibrio cholerae usually gets into food or water:
- Naturally
- Contaminated feces.
Casual contact with an infected person is not a major risk for becoming ill, because cholera rarely spreads from one person to another person.
What Is Cholera? -- Incubation Period
Once a person becomes infected with the bacteria that cause cholera, the bacteria begin to multiply within the intestines. Cholera symptoms can occur within 24 to 48 hours of being infected. The period between becoming infected and the start of cholera symptoms is called the cholera incubation period.
What Is Cholera? -- Symptoms
Although cholera can be serious, most infections with
Vibrio cholerae are mild or without symptoms. Approximately 1 in 20 infected people has severe cholera symptoms. These people may experience a rapid loss of body fluids, leading to dehydration and shock. Without
cholera treatment, death can occur within hours.
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