Also known as severe watery diarrhoea, rice-water stool illness.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caught from contaminated water or food, and outbreaks still occur in parts of Nigeria, especially in the rainy season. It can cause such heavy, watery diarrhoea that a person becomes dangerously dehydrated within hours. Rapid rehydration saves lives.
Symptoms
Sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea (often like rice water)
Vomiting
Intense thirst
Muscle cramps
Sunken eyes and dry mouth
Weakness or collapse
Very little or no urine
Causes & risk factors
Drinking water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae
Eating contaminated or poorly cooked food
Poor sanitation and unsafe water sources
Outbreak conditions such as flooding
Treatment & self-care
Start oral rehydration solution (ORS) immediately and keep replacing every stool lost — rehydration is the core of treatment. Severe cases need a clinic or hospital for intravenous fluids, and doctors may add antibiotics. Use safe water and good hand hygiene to protect the rest of the household.
See a doctor urgently if
Diarrhoea so frequent the person cannot keep up with drinking
Sunken eyes, dry tongue or skin that stays pinched
Drowsiness, confusion or fainting
No urine for many hours
Watery diarrhoea in a young child, elderly or pregnant person
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call 112 or 199 — do not wait for an online consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Cholera?
Early signs often include sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea (often like rice water), vomiting, intense thirst. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Cholera be treated?
Start oral rehydration solution (ORS) immediately and keep replacing every stool lost — rehydration is the core of treatment. Severe cases need a clinic or hospital for intravenous fluids, and doctors may add antibiotics. Use safe water and good hand hygiene to protect the rest of the household.
When should I see a doctor about Cholera?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: diarrhoea so frequent the person cannot keep up with drinking; sunken eyes, dry tongue or skin that stays pinched; drowsiness, confusion or fainting; no urine for many hours; watery diarrhoea in a young child, elderly or pregnant person. These can be signs of an emergency — if severe, go to the nearest emergency room or call 112 or 199.