How does cholera cause illness?
When consumed, the cholera bacteria passes through the stomach, where, fortunately, most of the bacteria are killed by the gastric juices and acid. Once the surviving bacteria have made it into the small intestine, they invade the lining of the small intestine and begin to multiply. In the process the bacteria produce an enterotoxin, and it is this enterotoxin that is responsible for causing the profuse, watery diarrhea that results in large quantities of fluid and electrolyte loss. How does cholera cause death? Death is a result of hypovolemic shock brought on by the profound dehydration from the enterotoxin-induced diarrhea. The very watery, grayish diarrhea is referred to as a rice water diarrhea. The victim of cholera can easily have massive diarrhea at a rate of 3 – 4 liters per hour or even more, literally dehydrating and shriveling up right before your eyes. Cholera is a very dehumanizing, debilitating disease. What are the signs and symptoms of cholera? Diarrhea – copious amoun
