Extremely contagious and serious bacterial infection of small intestines.Encyclopedia Entry for Cholera :Cholera - Vibrio cholerae (G- rods: facultative-curved: enteric pathogens)Encyclopedia Entry for Cholera :Cholera. Cholera is caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. These bacteria release a toxin that causes an increased amount of water to be released from cells that line the intestines. This increase in water produces severe diarrhea. People develop the infection from eating or drinking food or water that contains the cholera germ. Living in or traveling to areas where cholera is present raises the risk of getting it. Cholera occurs in places with a lack of water treatment or sewage treatment, or crowding, war, and famine. Common locations for cholera include: Africa Some parts of Asia India Bangladesh Mexico South and Central America.Symptoms of cholera can be mild to severe. They include: Abdominal cramps Dry mucous membranes or dry mouth Dry skin Excessive thirst Glassy or sunken eyes Lack of tears Lethargy Low urine output Nausea Rapid dehydration Rapid pulse (heart rate) Sunken 'soft spots' (fontanelles) in infants Unusual sleepiness or tiredness Vomiting Watery diarrhea that starts suddenly and has a 'fishy' odor.Tests that may be done include: Blood culture Stool culture and Gram stain.The goal of treatment is to replace fluid and salts that are lost through diarrhea. Diarrhea and fluid loss can be fast and extreme. It can be hard to replace lost fluids. Depending on your condition, you may be given fluids by mouth or through a vein ( intravenous , or IV). Antibiotics may shorten the time you feel ill. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed packets of salts that are mixed with clean water to help restore fluids. These are cheaper and easier to use than the typical IV fluid. These packets are now being used around the world.Severe dehydration can cause death. Most people will make a full recovery when they are given enough fluids.Complications may include: Severe dehydration Death.Call your health care provider if you develop severe watery diarrhea. Also call if you have signs of dehydration, including: Dry mouth Dry skin 'Glassy' eyes No tears Rapid pulse Reduced or no urine Sunken eyes Thirst Unusual sleepiness or tiredness.The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend cholera vaccines for most travelers. (This vaccine is not available in the United States.) Travelers should always be careful when eating food and drinking water, even if they are vaccinated. When outbreaks of cholera occur, efforts should be made to establish clean water, food, and sanitation. Vaccination is not very effective in managing outbreaks.Digestive system Digestive system Digestive system organs Digestive system organs Bacteria Bacteria.DuPont HL. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection.Encyclopedia Entry for Cholera :Cholera: Cholera is a disease spread mostly through contaminated drinking water and unsanitary conditions. It is endemic in the Indian subcontinent, Russia, and sub-Saharan Africa. It is an acute infection of the intestines with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Its main symptom is copious diarrhea. Between 5% and 10% of those infected with the disease will develop severe symptoms, which also include vomiting and leg cramps. In its severe form, cholera can cause death by dehydration. An estimated 200,000 cases are reported to WHO annually.Encyclopedia Entry for Cholera :Cholera. Source of disease: Vibrio cholerae