Cholera

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by a bacterium that is acquired mainly by consuming contaminated water or food, and that affects mainly the digestive system.

How it presents: Its most characteristic feature is abundant, sudden watery diarrhea, which can be accompanied by vomiting and rapidly lead to the loss of the body's fluids and salts.

When to seek care: Intense, sudden diarrhea, especially after traveling to areas with limited sanitation or during an outbreak, requires prompt attention, since dehydration can set in within a short time.

Who treats it? The infectious disease specialist studies this type of infection, and the internist is involved in the general evaluation of the adult patient. Seeking care without delay at the first signs and maintaining good hygiene measures are key aspects in this context.