What is the treatment for cholera?

By Nehanda Radio On Sep 15, 2018 13,657

Nelson Chamisa visited the cholera affected area of Glen View where he interacted with the affected community members and families. His first port of call was the Glen View Clinic before proceeding to the sewage works where he noted with disgust the appalling state the of the infrastructure.

The Centres for Disease Control (and almost every medical agency) recommends rehydration with ORS (oral rehydration salts) fluids as the primary treatment for cholera.

ORS fluids are available in pre-packaged containers, commercially available worldwide, and contain glucose and electrolytes.

The CDC follows the guidelines developed by WHO (World Health Organisation). (See table below)

Reassess the patient every one to two hours and continue hydrating. If hydration is not improving, give the IV drip more rapidly. 200 mL/kg or more may be needed during the first 24 hours of treatment.

After six hours (infants) or three hours (older patients), perform a full reassessment. Switch to ORS solution if hydration is improved and the patient can drink.

In general, antibiotics are reserved for more severe cholera infections; they function to reduce fluid rehydration volumes and may speed recovery.

Although good microbiological principles dictate it is best to treat a patient with antibiotics that are known to be effective against the infecting bacteria, this may take too long a time to accomplish during an initial outbreak (but it still should be attempted);

Meanwhile, severe infections have been effectively treated with tetracycline (Sumycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox, and others), furazolidone (Furoxone), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, Ilosone), or ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, ProQuin XR) in conjunction with the following antibiotics in conjunction with IV hydration and electrolytes:

Health Minister confirms over 447 cholera deaths recorded in…

Jan 25, 2024 23,854

Kuwadzana resident files urgent High Court application over…

Nov 30, 2023 23,080

“The cholera outbreak has come with vengeance,”…

Nov 17, 2023 42,339

Cholera surges as 27 deaths recorded while Buhera registers…

Oct 18, 2023 25,732

Prev Next 1 of 24

Tetracycline (Sumycin)

Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox, and others)

Furazolidone (Furoxone)

Erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, Ilosone)

Azithromycin (Zithromax)

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)

Ampicillin

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, ProQuin XR)

Norfloxacin (Noroxin)

Many antibiotics are listed; however, because of widespread antibiotic resistance, including multi-resistant Vibrio strains, antibiotic susceptibility testing is advised so the appropriate antibiotic is chosen.

In addition, quinolones (for example, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin) should not be used in children if other antibiotics can be effective because of possible musculoskeletal adverse effects.