What is cholra:
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It primarily spreads through contaminated water or food and leads to severe diarrhea, which can quickly cause dehydration. The bacteria produce toxins that affect the intestines, causing the body to lose large amounts of fluids and electrolytes.
What happens to the body of a infected person if its left untreated:
If cholera is left untreated, the disease can progress rapidly, leading to life-threatening complications. The infection causes the body to lose large amounts of water and electrolytes through sudden, profuse, watery diarrhea and vomiting. This extreme fluid loss results in severe dehydration, which can develop within just a few hours of symptom onset.
As dehydration worsens, the body experiences an electrolyte imbalance, which affects essential functions like muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and nerve signaling. Common signs include muscle cramps, sunken eyes, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and extreme thirst.
If fluid and electrolyte loss continues without replacement, the patient may go into hypovolemic shock—a condition where there isn't enough blood volume to supply the organs with oxygen. This can quickly lead to organ failure, unconsciousness, and ultimately, death, sometimes in as little as 6 to 12 hours from the start of symptoms in severe cases.
Cholera has a high fatality rate if untreated, but with prompt rehydration and medical care, most patients can fully recover.