Cholera

Articles tagged with "Cholera".

Oral Fluid Therapy of Cholera among Bangladesh Refugees (WHO Study)

Tags: Cholera, Oral Rehydration, WHO, Bangladesh Refugees

October 13, 2025

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

During the Bangladesh refugee crisis, cholera spread through crowded camps, overwhelming hospitals and supply chains. This WHO-led field trial showed that a simple oral solution, mixed and administered on-site, could save lives at scale. It was one of the first demonstrations that oral rehydration could be deployed under extreme field conditions.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Oral rehydration therapy was effective even in large refugee populations.
✔ Mortality fell dramatically when oral fluids were introduced early.
✔ Local volunteers were trained to mix and deliver the solution safely.
✔ This study proved ORT was scalable, not just clinically effective.

Oral Maintenance Therapy for Cholera in Adults (1968 Lancet)

Tags: Cholera, Oral Rehydration, Dehydration, Clinical Trial

October 13, 2025

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

Before oral rehydration became global policy, this 1968 Lancet study tested whether adults with cholera could be stabilized using only oral fluids. The results were transformative. It proved that with the right sodium and glucose concentrations, oral therapy could replace intravenous fluids even in severe disease.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Adults with cholera maintained hydration using oral therapy alone.
✔ Balanced sodium glucose solutions prevented dangerous electrolyte losses.
✔ IV fluids were needed only for initial stabilization in most cases.
✔ This trial established clinical proof for oral rehydration in severe dehydration.

From Sodium Glucose Cotransport to Oral Rehydration

Tags: Oral Rehydration, Sodium Glucose Cotransport, Cholera, History of Medicine

October 13, 2025

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

A physiologic insight became a public health breakthrough. When glucose is present in the small intestine, it hitches a ride with sodium through SGLT1, pulling water into the body. That simple mechanism powers oral rehydration and helps stop dehydration from becoming deadly.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Glucose enables sodium absorption through SGLT1, and water follows.
✔ This mechanism explains why oral rehydration works during severe diarrhea.
✔ Electrolyte solutions with glucose outperform glucose-free formulas.
✔ Crane’s work laid the foundation for modern oral rehydration solution.