Cholera: synopsis of clinical aspects and principles of treatment.

Cholera varies greatly in clinical severity; the mortality of untreated severe cholera may be as high as 60% The main clinical feature is dehydration; fluid lost in the stools may amount to 60/. Rehydration is the cornerstone of treatment. The amount of fluid required is approximately 10% of body weight in severe dehydration and 5 to 8% in moderate dehydration. Fluid therapy, which must be individualized, may be successful on its own, but chemo-therapy shortens the duration of illness. Tetracycline (in adults, 40 mg/kg for 2 days; in children, 50 mg/kg for 2 days) reduces the fluid loss and eliminates the causative organisms. Vaccination is of limited value.