What are common symptoms of cholera?

What are common symptoms of cholera?

• A. Rash and itching
• B. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and severe watery diarrhea
• C. Cough with hemoptysis
• D. Constipation and bloating

Answer: (B)

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness that causes massive, rapid loss of fluids from the small intestine. The hallmark symptoms are sudden onset of profuse, watery diarrhea—often described as “rice-water” stools—and vomiting, with abdominal cramps sometimes present. This combination reflects the toxin-driven secretory diarrhea that leads to rapid dehydration and electrolyte losses. Because of this, patients can become severely dehydrated quickly, which is a key clinical concern. The other options don’t fit cholera: rash and itching point to allergic or dermatologic conditions, a cough with hemoptysis suggests a lung disease, and constipation with bloating is not the characteristic pattern of cholera.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness that causes massive, rapid loss of fluids from the small intestine. The hallmark symptoms are sudden onset of profuse, watery diarrhea—often described as “rice-water” stools—and vomiting, with abdominal cramps sometimes present. This combination reflects the toxin-driven secretory diarrhea that leads to rapid dehydration and electrolyte losses. Because of this, patients can become severely dehydrated quickly, which is a key clinical concern. The other options don’t fit cholera: rash and itching point to allergic or dermatologic conditions, a cough with hemoptysis suggests a lung disease, and constipation with bloating is not the characteristic pattern of cholera.