MAIN Health Diseases Cholera

Common symptoms of cholera are diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps.

Treatment typically involves replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea, along with a course of antibiotics to help speed recovery.

If left untreated, cholera can rapidly develop into severe dehydration, shock, and even death.

With fecal contamination in local water supplies now known as the cause, cholera was once the most feared diseases during the early 19th century Industrial Revolution, when outbreaks were common. In cities like London, where the available housing was not up to handling the increased population, and sanitation was not a major concern, thousands perished in cholera epidemics on a regular basis.

Today, through the efforts of the medical community and improved urban sanitation, cholera in humans is no longer very common in the industrialized nations.

In some modern instances - such as those following Hurricane Katrina and the devastating earthquake in Haiti - isolated outbreaks of cholera can still occur. These are often the result of the local infrastructure being left in ruins following such natural disasters, when large populations are cut off from clean water supplies.

However, cholera remains a major health threat in many parts of the world where modern sanitation standards and medical care are not the norm.

More about cholera around the Web:

John Snow - is the epidemiologist who uncovered the way that cholera is transmitted and solved London's deadly cholera epidemic of 1854. This site is fascinating... maps of London in the mid 1800s, original texts and other information on the disease and the methods epidemiologists use to track elusive germs.

WHO - Cholera - The World Health Organization presents information on cholera. The report covers reports of outbreaks, travelers information, what is being done to control it and other issues.

CDC - Cholera - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
site contains basic information on cholera - mainly as it applies to US citizens travelling to areas where it is common.

Science in Africa - This U.N. sponsored magazine has several articles on cholera and the political and social roots of the ongoing problems causing epidemics to continue.

Thomas Shapter : The History of the Cholera in Exeter 1832 - Charts and illustrations bring home the seriousness of cholera before the disease was understood. The section of illustrations from the book is very nicely done.

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.