Signs and Symptoms

The clinical features of moderate to severe cases of cholera are the following

· Acute onset
· Severe painless watery diarrhoea with or without vomiting
· Signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance & shock, majority cases are in the form of mild diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea causes fluid and electrolyte losses. It may be mild, moderate or sever. depending on the severity of losses.

Following signs & symptoms are observed 

Signs of Dehydration (Moderate dehydration)
· Increased thirst
· Restlessness irritability
· Loss of skin elasticity.
· Dry mouth

Signs of Severe Dehydration
All above signs and.
· Lethargic look.
· Flabby hypotonia
· Unable to drink
· Decreased urine output.
· Increased heart rate.
· Unconsciousness
· Fall in Blood Pressure
· Depression of Anterior frontanalae in infants.

Signs of Hypokalemia /Electrolyte imbalance
· Hypotonia
· Cardiac arrhythmia
· Paralytic ileus
· Cardiorespiratory failure
More than 90% of sporadict cases are mild and 9% cases require Oral rehydration therapy. And 1% cases require hospitalization & IV therapy.