What should you know about cholera oral rehydration therapy?

Oral rehydration solution contains water, salts, and glucose in a balance that helps the intestine absorb fluid. It does not remove the cholera bacterium, but it replaces losses while medical care addresses the illness. The same approach may help with [Dehydration](/conditions/dehydration/), [Food Poisoning](/conditions/food-poisoning/), or [Gastroenteritis](/conditions/gastroenteritis/).

Use a commercially prepared solution or [Oral Rehydration Salts](/materials/oral-rehydration-salts/) exactly as directed, including the stated water volume. Sip repeatedly; if vomiting occurs, pause briefly and restart with smaller sips. Continue replacing fluid after each loose stool, and seek medical advice promptly if diarrhoea is profuse. Avoid mixing sachets with too little or too much water, and do not substitute soft drinks or undiluted juice. [Dizziness](/symptoms/dizziness/) can signal worsening fluid loss.

Get emergency care if the person cannot drink, keeps vomiting, becomes confused or unusually sleepy, faints, passes very little urine, or has cold hands and feet. Severe dehydration may require supervised intravenous fluids. Infants, older adults, pregnant people, and people with chronic disease should receive early assessment. Do not wait for thirst to appear.

Ask which solution to use, how to judge whether drinking is keeping up with losses, when intravenous treatment is needed, and whether testing or additional treatment is appropriate.