Cholera is a bacterial infection affecting the small intestines, causing symptoms which primarily include vomiting, nausea, severe stomach cramps, and watery diarrhea. The primary danger posed by cholera is dehydration, as extended bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can rapidly deplete the amount of water in the body. It is usually treated with a combination of antibiotics and rehydration therapy, with a slow, gradual intake of fluids helping to rehydrate the patient. It is typically spread when the fecal matter of an infected person is redistributed through a shared water supply, making outbreaks rare in developed countries. However, visitors to lesser developed nations are at increased risk of contracting cholera.
