Rarely, people in the U. A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. The infection is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk factor for becoming ill.
Cholera infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can be severe. It usually takes days for symptoms to appear after a person ingests cholera bacteria, but the time can range from a few hours to 5 days. Persons living in places with unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene are at the highest risk for cholera.
If you think you or a member of your family might have cholera, seek medical attention immediately. Dehydration can be rapid so fluid replacement is essential. If you have oral rehydration solution ORS , start taking it immediately; it can save a life. Continue to drink ORS at home and while traveling to get medical treatment. If an infant has watery diarrhea, continue breastfeeding.
To test for cholera, doctors must take a stool sample or a rectal swab and send it to a laboratory to look for the cholera bacteria. Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea. Patients can be treated with oral rehydration solution ORS , a prepackaged mixture of sugar and salts that is mixed with 1 liter of water and drunk in large amounts.
This solution is used throughout the world to treat diarrhea. Severe cases also require intravenous fluid replacement. Antibiotics shorten the course and diminish the severity of the illness, but they are not as important as rehydration.
Persons who develop severe diarrhea and vomiting in countries where cholera occurs should seek medical attention promptly. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk factor for becoming ill.
It's not found in the UK, but there's a very small risk of getting it while travelling in some parts of the world. It's mainly found in places without a clean water supply or modern sewage system, such as parts of Africa and Asia. You can check the country information on the TravelHealthPro website.
The vaccine is given as a drink. For adults, 2 doses given 1 to 6 weeks apart can provide protection for up to 2 years. Don't add ice to your drinks unless you made it yourself using safe water. For adults traveling from the United States to areas affected by cholera, a vaccine called Vaxchora is available in the United States. It is a liquid dose taken by mouth at least 10 days before travel.
A few other countries offer oral vaccines as well. Contact your doctor or local office of public health for more information about these vaccines.
Even with the vaccine, it's important to take the above precautions to prevent cholera. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Kliegman RM, et al. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; Accessed Dec. Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. World Health Organization.
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