What is a possible consequence of cholera if untreated?

Untreated cholera can lead to severe dehydration due to the illness's characteristic profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. This extreme fluid loss can result in significant electrolyte imbalances, which can affect neurological function and lead to serious complications, including coma. In severe cases, the body cannot maintain adequate blood circulation and can lead to shock, where the brain and other vital organs do not receive enough blood flow, ultimately resulting in unconsciousness or coma.

Other options, such as weight gain, allergies, or skin infections, are not direct consequences of cholera. Weight gain is not associated with the condition, as cholera typically leads to drastic weight loss due to dehydration. Allergies are unrelated to the bacterial infection caused by cholera, and skin infections do not directly arise from the effects of cholera itself; instead, they may occur in a patient with a compromised immune system or other factors separate from cholera. Thus, coma represents a serious and acute consequence of untreated cholera that highlights the importance of prompt medical intervention.