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Why are cholera stools called rice-water stools?

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A woman in a pink dress receives medical treatment from nurses administering an IV at a crowded hospital in Saint-Marc, Haiti. — cholera A woman with cholera being treated by nurses at St. Nicholas Hospital in Saint-Marc, Haiti, 2010.

Cholera stools are referred to as "rice-water" stools because of their distinct appearance, which is characterized by a profuse, watery consistency containing small flecks of mucus.1

This symptom is a hallmark of cholera, an acute infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The rapid loss of fluid associated with these stools can lead to severe dehydration, which, if left untreated, can be fatal. Modern medical intervention, primarily through the administration of oral rehydration salts or intravenous fluids, is highly effective at preventing mortality.21