cholera infantum: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No. While both involve severe diarrhea, 'cholera' (or Asiatic cholera) is a specific, acute bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. 'Cholera infantum' was a broad, non-specific historical term for severe gastrointestinal illness in infants, which could have been caused by many different bacteria, viruses, or other factors.

Modern medicine has identified the specific pathogens (like rotavirus, E. coli, etc.) and physiological processes that cause severe gastroenteritis in infants. The umbrella term 'cholera infantum' is imprecise and obsolete. Improved sanitation, clean water, and oral rehydration therapy have also made the syndrome it described far less common and deadly.

Only if you are deliberately writing about historical medicine, social history, or the evolution of medical terminology. Using it in a contemporary context would be anachronistic and misleading, suggesting a lack of current medical knowledge.

A modern doctor would use specific terms like 'acute severe gastroenteritis', 'dehydration secondary to diarrhea/vomiting', or would diagnose the specific cause (e.g., 'rotavirus infection'). The focus would be on the specific etiology and the precise clinical state (degree of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance).

A historical medical term for severe, often fatal, gastroenteritis and dehydration in infants and young children, occurring especially in summer.

Cholera infantum is usually historical / medical (archaic) in register.

Cholera infantum: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒlərə ɪnˈfantəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑlərə ˌɪnfənˈtəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.