Cholera physical examination


 * Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
The signs on physical examination depends on the level of dehydration and patient may present with tachycardia, postural hypotension, somnolence, dry mucous membrane, sunken eyes,oliguria. If the 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 (poor skin turgor), sunken eyes, muscle cramps (decreased potassium), and decreased urine output.

Physical examination
The signs on physical examination depends on the level of dehydration
 * Vitals
 * weak thready or absent pulse, tachycardia
 * Postural hypotension
 * Somnolence and coma
 * Dry mucous membrane, excessive thirst, weakness, fatigue
 * Sunken eyes
 * Oliguria
 * Wrinkled skin