Treatment

A man being treated for cholera

Most persons infected with the cholera bacterium have mild diarrhea or no symptoms at all. Only a small proportion, about 10%, of persons infected with Vibrio cholerae O1 have illness requiring treatment at a health center.

Cholera patients should be evaluated and treated quickly. With proper treatment, even severely ill patients can be saved. Prompt restoration of lost fluids and salts through rehydration therapy is the primary goal of treatment.

Antibiotic treatment, which reduces fluid requirements and duration of illness, is indicated for severe cases of cholera.

Zinc treatment has also been shown to help improve cholera symptoms in children.