Patients most often present with voluminous " rice-water" diarrhea that quickly leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can be fatal if not rapidly treated with rehydration salts.
But even before a definitive diagnosis can typically be made, the first line of treatment is to rapidly replace the lost water and electrolytes with rehydration salts either orally or intravenously.
The excessive fluid loss and resulting complications can be fatal within six to sixteen days of the first symptoms, though proper care and rehydration therapy can significantly reduce mortality rates in patients.