What is the mainstay treatment for cholera?

What is the mainstay treatment for cholera?

• A. Antibiotics
• B. Stool management
• C. Avoid dehydration
• D. Aggressive volume repletion

Answer: (D)

Cholera causes rapid, massive loss of fluids and electrolytes, so the primary goal is to restore circulating volume as quickly as possible to prevent shock and organ failure. This is achieved through aggressive fluid repletion, using oral rehydration solution for milder cases or prompt intravenous isotonic saline for severe dehydration, with careful ongoing replacement and electrolyte correction. Antibiotics can shorten the illness and reduce stool output, but they do not substitute for rehydration. Stool management and general measures to prevent dehydration are supportive, but without active fluid replacement the patient remains at high risk. So the key treatment emphasis is aggressive volume repletion.

Cholera causes rapid, massive loss of fluids and electrolytes, so the primary goal is to restore circulating volume as quickly as possible to prevent shock and organ failure. This is achieved through aggressive fluid repletion, using oral rehydration solution for milder cases or prompt intravenous isotonic saline for severe dehydration, with careful ongoing replacement and electrolyte correction. Antibiotics can shorten the illness and reduce stool output, but they do not substitute for rehydration. Stool management and general measures to prevent dehydration are supportive, but without active fluid replacement the patient remains at high risk. So the key treatment emphasis is aggressive volume repletion.