Cholera: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A 20-year-old male just got back to the United States from a mission trip to South Asia. He is now having intense, watery, rice-like stools. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Salmonella
B. Cholera
C. Rotavirus
D. Giardia
E. E.coli
Answer and topic summary
The answer is B. Cholera
The patient most likely has Cholera, which is an acute diarrheal infection caused by toxin-producing strains of the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. A person gets it from drinking food or water contaminated with the cholera bacterium. It is more common in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Diagnosis can be made with antigen detect-based tests, molecular tests (i.e., PCR), or stool culture. Oral or intravenous hydration is the primary treatment; antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline) is recommended for severely ill patients, those with moderate to severe volume depletion, pregnant woman, or those with severe malnutrition.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Infectious Disease ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Internal Medicine EOR topic list
