Cholera Vaccination Service
20 mins
£80
About cholera
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Following the colonisation of the small bowel, the bacteria produces an enterotoxin that causes the secretion of fluid and electrolytes and leads to painless, watery diarrhoea.
Cholera can be mild or occur without symptoms in healthy individuals. Symptoms include sudden, profuse, watery diarrhoea with associated nausea and vomiting. If untreated, cholera can rapidly lead to severe dehydration and shock; 50% of those with serious complications die. With quick and effective treatment, the risk of dying is less than 1%.
How can you get cholera?
The risk of cholera for most travellers is extremely low. Activities that may increase risk include:
Drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked food (particularly seafood) in areas where outbreaks occur
Travellers living in unsanitary conditions, including humanitarian workers in disaster/refugee areas