Cholera
Description General Measures Medicine Treatment ICD-10 code: A00.0-1/A00.9 *Notifiable medical condition. DESCRIPTION Diarrhoea due to Vibrio cholerae , often in outbreaks. GENERAL MEASURES Rehydration is the cornerstone of management. Oral rehydration is preferred. MEDICINE TREATMENT Oral rehydration solution (ORS) by mouth or nasogastric tube. If enteral administration not possible, e.g., patie
ICD-10 code: A00.0-1/A00.9
*Notifiable medical condition.
DESCRIPTION
Diarrhoea due to Vibrio cholerae, often in outbreaks.
GENERAL MEASURES
Rehydration is the cornerstone of management. Oral rehydration is preferred.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
- Oral rehydration solution (ORS) by mouth or nasogastric tube.
- If enteral administration not possible, e.g., patient is vomiting, profoundly dehydrated, or stuporous:
IV treatment if unable to tolerate oral rehydration:
- Ringers lactate, IV (preferred).
OR
- Sodium chloride, 0.9%, IV.
AND
Antibiotic therapy:
- Ciprofloxacin, oral, 1 g as a single dose.
- Adjust antibiotic choice, according to the sensitivity of the isolate responsible for the local epidemic.
CAUTION
Dextrose 5% should not be used for fluid replacement in patients with cholera as it does not contain electrolytes, which are required to ensure adequate fluid resuscitation.
Click here for the NEMLC Recommendations for medicine treatement (2020-4 review cycle).
Standard Treatment Guidelines And Essential Medicines List For South Africa, Adult Hospital level, 2020-4_Version 1_July 2024
Chapter 1: Alimentary tract; 1.3 Diarrhoea; 1.3.1 Cholera