Cholera and its treatment

Definition: Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients. Infectious agent Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 or O139 cause cholera. Identification Clinical features Asymptomatic...

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Chlamydophila pneumoniae

Infectious agent The infectious agent is Chlamydophila pneumoniae, an obligate intracellular bacterium (previously named Chlamydia pneumoniae). Identification Clinical features Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection is often mild. The initial infection appears to be the most severe with reinfection often asymptomatic. A spectrum of illness from pharyngitis and sinusitis to pneumonia and bronchitis may occur. Sometimes there is a biphasic illness with initial upper respiratory tract infection symptoms which resolve and then a dry cough and low...

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Chlamydia (genital infection)

Infectious agent Chlamydia trachomatis serogroups D–K cause disease. Identification Clinical features Most women with urethral or endocervical chlamydial infection are asymptomatic. Clinical manifestations may include vaginal discharge, dysuria and post-coital or intermenstrual bleeding. Less frequent manifestations include urethral syndrome (dysuria and pyuria), bartholinitis, perihepatitis and proctitis. Complications and sequelae may result in chronic pelvic pain, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Infections during pregnancy...

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