n.
Acute bacterial infection with Vibrio cholerae , causing massive diarrhea with severe depletion of body fluids and salts.
(See bacterial disease .) Cholera often occurs in epidemics, spreading in contaminated water or food. The bacteria secrete a toxin that causes the diarrhea, which along with vomiting leads to dehydration , with severe muscle cramps and intense thirst. Stupor and coma may precede death by shock . With fluid and salt replacement, the disease passes in two to seven days, sooner if antibiotics are taken the first day. Prevention requires good sanitation, especially clean drinking water.