What should you know about cholera disease treatment?

Cholera can cause large amounts of watery diarrhoea and vomiting. The body may then lose water and electrolytes faster than they can be replaced by ordinary drinks. Dehydration can affect circulation, alertness, kidney function, and muscle activity. A clinician assesses thirst, urine output, alertness, breathing, pulse, and other signs to decide how much replacement is needed.

Antibiotics may be considered for some patients after clinical assessment, but they do not replace fluids. Treatment also includes safe handling of stool and vomit, hand hygiene, and monitoring for deterioration. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with another serious illness may need especially close observation.

Begin an appropriate oral rehydration solution if the person is awake and able to swallow, giving frequent small sips and replacing fluid after each loose stool. Do not rely on very sugary drinks, alcohol, or plain water alone when diarrhoea is substantial. Continue breastfeeding an infant unless a clinician gives different advice. Arrange urgent assessment rather than trying to manage severe fluid loss at home.

A healthcare team may provide [Oral Rehydration Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/oral-rehydration-therapy/) for milder dehydration and [IV Fluid Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/iv-fluid-therapy/) when drinking is not enough or vomiting prevents replacement. More background is available on [Diarrhoea](/symptoms/diarrhoea/).

Get urgent help for faintness, confusion, profound weakness, cold or clammy skin, minimal urine, inability to drink, persistent vomiting, or rapidly worsening watery diarrhoea. A person who is difficult to wake or has trouble breathing needs emergency attention. Keep the person lying safely, offer small sips only if fully alert, and take any recent travel or food exposure information to the healthcare team.

How dehydrated am I, and which replacement method is suitable? Do I need testing or prescription treatment? How can I protect family members while I recover? When should I return if diarrhoea, vomiting, or low urine continues?