Treatment of cholera
Learn how cholera is diagnosed and treated.
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How is cholera diagnosed?
Cholera is diagnosed by identification of the bacteria in a stool sample.
How is cholera treated?
Cholera is easily treatable.
If you have diarrhea:
- the most important treatment is to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- use oral rehydration solutions as soon as possible to replace liquids lost through diarrhea
If you have symptoms of cholera and are treated right away, the illness is rarely fatal.
Severely dehydrated individuals may need administration of intravenous fluids.
In moderate and severe cases, antibiotics can help to shorten the length and severity of the illness.