In a cholera treatment camp, an adult male weighing 60 kg has severe dehydration from confirmed cholera. After initial rehydration with Ringer lactate, which antimicrobial is recommended as the drug of choice for adults?
- A Doxycycline 300 mg as a single dose ✓
- B Azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 3 days
- C Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 5 days
- D Cotrimoxazole double strength twice daily for 5 days
Correct answer: A. Doxycycline 300 mg as a single dose
Explanation
B single oral dose of doxycycline 300 mg is the standard recommendation for treating cholera in adults, reducing diarrhoeal duration and vibrio excretion. Antibiotics are adjuncts to rehydration and are given only to moderate or severe cases. Cotrimoxazole is reserved for children in whom tetracyclines are avoided, and fluoroquinolones face rising resistance, making ciprofloxacin less reliable than doxycycline.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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