Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cholera physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Signs of cholera on physical examination depend on the patient’s level of dehydration. Cholera patients may present with tachycardia, postural hypotension, somnolence, dry mucous membrane, sunken eyes, and/or oliguria. If severe diarrhea and vomiting are not aggressively treated, they can, within hours, result in life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The typical symptoms of dehydration include dizziness (due to low blood pressure), wrinkled hands (due to poor skin turgor), sunken eyes, muscle cramps (due to hypokalemia), and decreased urine output.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
The presentation of cholera upon physical examination depends on the patient’s level of dehydration.
Vitals
Appearance of the Patient
- Somnolence and coma
- Dry mucous membrane
Skin
- Wrinkled skin
Eyes
- Sunken eyes
Assessment of Dehydration
Assessment of Dehydration
| Mental status | Eyes | Thirst | Skin pinch | Conclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal, alert | Normal, hydrated | Normal | Goes down quickly (spontaneously) | No / Mild dehydration |
| Irritable | Sunken | Drink eagerly | Goes back slowly (< 2 sec) | Some / Moderate dehydration (in case if 2 of the symptoms are present) |
| Severe | Sunken | Drinks poorly | Goes back slowly (> 2 sec) | Severe dehydration (in case if 2 of the symptoms are present) |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]