Symptoms:

The first symptoms of the disease are presented by Vibrio cholerae 2 to 5 days after infection and are given by the action of cholera toxin that is fixed at the level of the cell membrane bowel causing vomiting, watery stools with abundant remains of intestinal mucosa "rice water" and borborismos with abdominal pain . The loss of water by feces can reach amounts as 15 to 24 liters by day, which causes dehydration so severe that it can kill the patient by hypovolemic shock and electrolyte imbalance and acid base.

The evacuations have virtually no protein, sodium concentrations are equal to the plasma; However, the concentrations of potassium and bicarbonate are five times higher than those in plasma, so that the patients often develop metabolic acidosis and hypokalemia. Mortality in cases hospitalized and treated appropriately based fluids, electrolytes and glucose is less than 1%; However, in cases that do not receive timely and appropriate care, this figure can reach 60% mainly in children under 5 years with malnutrition.

( http://www.bibliotecavirtual.com.do/Biologia/Colera.htm )