Cholera varies in clinical severity. A severe and rapidly progressive form that used to be fatal is called cholera gravis.
Clinical features of cholera gravis:
(1) high volume watery diarrhea (>= 1 liter per hour)
(2) rapid volume contraction and dehydration with > 10% loss of body weight
(3) oliguric renal failure
(4) acidosis (fecal loss of bicarbonate, lactic acidosis)
(5) coma
(6) circulatory collapse with refractory shock
Early and aggressive management can be life-saving. The condition can still be fatal if the diagnosis is delayed or if the patient has significant comorbid conditions.
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