What to know
- Cholera can cause dehydration, which can lead to death in just a few hours.
- Rehydration therapy, which includes oral rehydration solution (ORS), is the most important treatment for cholera.
- If you think you or a family member might have cholera, start drinking ORS and get medical attention immediately.
Treatment overview
Resource
Treatment options
Oral Rehydration Therapy
The most important treatment for cholera is rehydration therapy to replace fluids lost through diarrhea and vomiting. Rehydration therapy can include ORS, intravenous fluids, and electrolytes. With timely rehydration therapy, more than 99% of cholera patients survive.
ORS
Many people can be completely rehydrated by drinking ORS, which is made with a prepackaged powder of salts and minerals and mixed with water that has been boiled or treated.
ORS powder is available in many pharmacies and stores. During cholera outbreaks, governments and nongovernmental agencies often distribute ORS powder.
If you think you might have cholera, start drinking ORS immediately, including on your way to a healthcare facility.
Some people who are severely dehydrated may require fluids through an IV. They still should drink ORS as soon as possible.
Other fluids
If you don't have ORS, you can drink safe water, broth, or other fluids. Do not drink fluids with a high sugar content like juice, soft drinks, or sports drinks. Sugary drinks can make diarrhea worse.
Babies with watery diarrhea should continue to be fed breast milk or formula to help them stay hydrated.
Antibiotics
In addition to rehydration therapy, antibiotics may be recommended for severely ill patients and others depending on their symptoms and medical conditions. Antibiotics can help decrease how long someone is sick. However, antibiotics should be used along with aggressive rehydration.
Zinc supplementation for children
When available, children ages 6 months to 5 years with suspected cholera should be started on zinc supplementation immediately.