Cholera symptoms typically manifest within 12 hours to 5 days after infection with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. The disease primarily presents with severe, profuse watery diarrhea, often described as 'rice-water stool,' resulting from the bacterium's impact on the intestinal lining. This is frequently accompanied by significant vomiting.

Other common symptoms include abdominal or leg cramps, dry mouth, intense thirst, and reduced urine output. Approximately one in ten individuals infected with cholera experiences severe symptoms, indicative of profound dehydration, such as a rapid heart rate, decreased blood pressure, loss of skin elasticity, sunken eyes, restlessness, irritability, and diminished urine production. In critical cases, this can progress rapidly to shock and seizures.

While mild cases may resolve spontaneously within a few days, the rapid and extreme fluid loss caused by cholera can quickly become life-threatening. Therefore, prompt medical evaluation and rehydration therapy are crucial for preventing severe complications and ensuring patient survival.