Cholera and Botulism Overview

Study Notes

Cholera is a serious bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration.
The bacteria is spread through contaminated water and food.
Common symptoms of cholera include:
- Profuse watery diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Dehydration
- Weakness

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by bacteria.
This toxin can paralyze the muscles.
The toxin is often found in:
- Improperly preserved foods
- Honey (especially for infants)
Common symptoms of Botulism include:
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weakness
- Breathing problems

Foodborne Toxic Infections are characterized by:
- Short incubation periods usually 1-6 hours
- Persistent immunity after the disease
- The infection results from consuming foods contaminated with toxins produced by bacteria.

Most frequently encountered Viral Diarrheas include:
- Rotavirus infection
- Parvovirus infection
- Picornavirus infection
- Viral hepatitis E
- Adenovirus infection
- Influenza

Picornavirus infections are characterized by:
- Sudden onset of fever and gastroenteritis
- Frequent diarrhea
- Vomiting

Dysentery is an infection of the intestines that causes inflammation and severe diarrhea.
The main types of dysentery include:
- Shigellosis (caused by bacteria Shigella)
- Amoebic dysentery (caused by a parasite called Entamoeba histolytica)
Common symptoms of dysentery include:
- Diarrhea with blood and mucus
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
During a physical examination, intestinal changes can be observed during Rectosigmoidoscopy:
- Catarrhal proctosigmoiditis
- Catarrhal-hemorrhagic proctosigmoiditis
- Erosive proctosigmoiditis
- Deep ulcers
- Scarred ulcers
- Fibrinous-necrotic proctosigmoiditis
- Bleeding and extensive hemorrhages
Clinical Variants of Acute Dysentery
- Colitic form
- Gastroenterocolitic form
- Gastroenteritic form
- Subclinical form
- Gastritic form
- Gastrocolitic form
- Abortive form
- Fulminant form