Complications
Less than 20% of people get serious Vibrio cholerae diarrheal infection, and only those who are severely dehydrated will develop circulatory collapse.
In the short term (up to 24 hours), this is a reversible situation with fluids alone, but after 24 to 48 hours the complications of prolonged hypotension will almost inevitably lead to death.
The acute renal failure associated with cholera is due to acute tubular necrosis, which can be circumvented by a period of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, but often this disease occurs where facilities are not available.
Potassium loss in the stool and poor fluid replacement can lead to severe hypokalemia.
Clinically these patients are weak, and may have a paralytic bladder and ileus.
ECG might show a prolonged PR interval and flattened T waves.
Low blood sugar is common and can be reversed easily with an oral rehydration solution if the patient is not vomiting.
Severe hypoglycemia may require intravenous glucose therapy initially.
Unknown etiology but likely due to electrolyte imbalance.
Wound infection and septicemia are only complications of non-O1, non-O139 disease, usually in immunocompromised people or those with liver disease.
Even if treated aggressively with appropriate antibiotics, this condition has a high case-fatality rate.
Pregnant women have about a 15% to 20% chance of fetal loss or premature labor.[7]
Adequate case management should reduce the incidence.
Small bowel obstruction, ileus, or perforation may uncommonly result from severe diarrhea.
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