Severe diarrhea and vomiting can occur due to cholera
Cholera: Symptoms and causes
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera is easily treated. Death from severe dehydration can be prevented with a simple and inexpensive rehydration solution. Cholera is not endemic in Australia. There are only about six recorded cases a year
Symptoms of cholera infection can include:
- Diarrhoea: Cholera-related diarrhoea comes on suddenly and can quickly cause dangerous fluid loss — as much as a quart (about 1 liter) an hour.
- Nausea and vomiting: Vomiting occurs especially in the early stages of cholera and can last for hours.
- Dehydration: Dehydration can develop within hours after cholera symptoms start and range from mild to severe. A loss of 10% or more of body weight indicates severe dehydration.
