Diarrhea

Diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs world-wide and causes 4% of all deaths and 5% of health loss to disability. It is most commonly caused by gastrointestinal infections which kill around 2.2 million people globally each year, mostly children in developing countries. The use of water in hygiene is an important preventive measure but contaminated water is also an important cause of diarrhea. Cholera and dysentery cause severe, sometimes life threatening forms of diarrhea.

The disease and how it affects people
Diarrhea is the passage of loose or liquid stools more frequently than is normal for the individual. It is primarily a symptom of gastrointestinal infection. Depending on the type of infection, the diarrhea may be watery (for example in cholera) or passed with blood (in dysentery for example). Diarrhea due to infection may last a few days, or several weeks, as in persistent diarrhea. Severe diarrhea may be life threatening due to fluid loss in watery diarrhea, particularly in infants and young children, the malnourished and people with impaired immunity.

The impact of repeated or persistent diarrhea on nutrition and the effect of malnutrition on susceptibility to infectious diarrhea can be linked in a vicious cycle amongst children, especially in developing countries.

Diarrhea is also associated with other infections such as malaria and measles. Chemical irritation of the gut or non-infectious bowel disease can also result in diarrhea.

The cause
Diarrhea is a symptom of infection caused by a host of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms most of which can be spread by contaminated water. It is more common when there is a shortage of clean water for drinking, cooking and cleaning and basic hygiene is important in prevention.

Water contaminated with human feces for example from municipal sewage, septic tanks and latrines is of special concern. Animal feces also contain microorganisms that can cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea can also spread from person to person, aggravated by poor personal hygiene. Food is another major cause of diarrhea when it is prepared or stored in unhygienic conditions. Water can contaminate food during irrigation, and fish and seafood from polluted water may also contribute to the disease.

Interventions
Key measures to reduce the number of cases of diarrhea include:
! Access to safe drinking water.
! Improved sanitation.
! Good personal and food hygiene.
! Health education about how infections spread.

Key measures to treat diarrhea include:
! Giving more fluids than usual, including oral
rehydration salts solution, to prevent dehydration.
! Continue feeding.
! Consulting a health worker if there are signs of dehydration or other problems.

While this illness runs its course, here are some general do's and don'ts that you should keep in mind:

DO
! Watch for signs of dehydration which occur when a child loses too much fluid and becomes dried out.
! Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, no tears when baby cries, high fever, dry mouth, weight loss, extreme thirst, listlessness, and sunken eyes.
! Keep your pediatrician informed if there is any significant change in how your child is behaving.
! Report if your child has blood in his stool.
! Report if your child develops a high fever (more than 102ºF or 39ºC).
! Continue to feed your child if she is not vomiting. You may have to give your child smaller amounts of food than normal or give your child foods that do not further upset his or her stomach.
! Use diarrhea replacement fluids that are specifically made for diarrhea if your child is thirsty.

DON'T
! Do not try to make special salt and fluid combinations at home unless your pediatrician instructs you and you have the proper instruments.
! Do not prevent the child from eating if she is hungry.
! Do not use boiled milk or other salty broth and soups.
! Do not use "anti-diarrhea" medicines unless prescribed by your pediatrician.

 Note:   This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment.   If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.

For more information, please call:

CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6444