Cholera in Children

What is cholera in children?

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Your child can get cholera if they eat food or drink water that is contaminated with the bacteria.

Cholera is a health problem in many developing countries. It’s mainly found in Africa, South Asia, and in the Caribbean (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). It is rare in developed countries like the U.S. But there have been some outbreaks in the U.S. They have been caused by contaminated seafood that travelers have brought into the country.

The acids in your stomach and digestive tract can kill small amounts of the cholera bacteria. Because of this, most infected people will not have any symptoms. But the bacteria are still in their stool for 7 to 14 days. During that time, they can infect other people. This is especially true if they have poor hygiene habits.

What causes cholera in a child?

The cholera bacteria are often found in water supplies made unclean because of the unsanitary disposal of stool. Cholera is rarely passed from one person to another. In areas where the germ is found, it is often spread by drinking water or eating food from:

City water supplies
Ice made from city water
Foods and drinks bought from street vendors
Vegetables irrigated with fresh sewage
Raw or improperly cooked fish and seafood taken from waters polluted with sewage

What are the symptoms of cholera in a child?

Most children who get symptoms have a mild to moderate upset stomach. Worse cases may cause vomiting and watery diarrhea, called “rice-water stools.” These symptoms may lead to dehydration. Signs and symptoms may include:

A very rapid heart rate
Dry mucous membranes
Very low blood pressure
Muscle cramps

If untreated, severe dehydration can lead to shock and death. Those with weak immune systems are at greater risk of dying from the infection.

How is cholera diagnosed in a child?

Your child's healthcare provider will ask about your child's past health and travel history. Your child will also need an exam, as well as blood and stool tests.

How is cholera treated in a child?

For diarrhea that is worse than normal, talk with your child's healthcare provider. Don’t treat it on your own. Seek medical help if diarrhea becomes severe and watery, or if vomiting happens. Don't use antidiarrheal medicines for cholera.

Treatment will depend on your child's symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Your child may need to be rehydrated with fluids. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to help your child get better faster.

What are possible complications of cholera in a child?

If left untreated, diarrhea from cholera can cause severe dehydration. That can lead to shock and even death.

What can I do to prevent cholera in my child?

One of the best ways to prevent cholera is to wash your child's hands often.

If you are traveling in an area where cholera is common, only use water that has been boiled or chemically disinfected for:

Drinking or making beverages such as tea or coffee
Brushing your teeth
Washing your face and hands
Washing fruits and vegetables
Washing eating utensils and food preparation equipment
Washing the surfaces of tins, cans, and bottles that contain food or beverages

Don't let your child eat or drink foods or beverages from unknown sources. Any raw food could be contaminated, including:

Fruits, vegetables, and salad greens
Unpasteurized milk and milk products
Raw meat
Shellfish
Any fish caught in tropical reefs rather than the open ocean

The U.S. does not currently have an available vaccine against cholera. Vaccines may be available abroad. Your child's healthcare provider may advise it if your child's chance of exposure is high. At this time, no country requires the vaccine for entry if a person arrives from a country with the disease. None of the vaccines are fully effective, though, so preventing exposure is the most important thing you can do.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call your child's healthcare provider if their symptoms return or get worse, or if they have new ones.

Key points about cholera in children

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Your child can get cholera if they eat or drink foods that are contaminated with the bacteria.
The cholera bacteria are usually found in unclean water supplies because of the unsanitary disposal of stool.
Cholera is mainly found in Africa, South Asia, and the Caribbean.
Cholera can cause severe diarrhea. That may make your child dehydrated. If left untreated, this can lead to severe dehydration, shock, and even death.
To prevent cholera, wash your child's hands often. Only provide your child boiled or disinfected water. Do not let your child eat food from unknown sources.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your healthcare provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your healthcare provider if you have questions, especially after office hours and on weekends and holidays.