WATCH | How to diagnose & treat cholera: A guide for health workers

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Health workers in clinics and hospitals should keep their eyes peeled for signs of cholera in their patients, according to the health department. South Africa is having its first cholera outbreak in 14 years.

Start treatment immediately. Don’t wait for a lab test to confirm your suspicions.

1. Check the patient’s dehydration levels every 15 to 30 minutes. The drugs and dosages you should use depend on how dehydrated the person is. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases website has detailed instructions to help you.The strain of cholera that’s causing South Africa’s outbreak can be treated with ciprofloxacin.

6. If possible, cholera patients should use a separate toilet in hospital to cut the chances of others becoming infected. Do not use drugs that stop diarrhoea, for instance Imodium. These medicines won’t work and they could make your patient’s symptoms worse and lead to nausea. Instead, Imodium works atWhen can I discharge a patient?Their diarrhoea is less frequentThis story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism.

 

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