Diarrhoea can last several days and can leave the body without the water and salts that are necessary for survival.In the past ,for most people,severe dehydration and fluid loss were the main cases of diarrhoea associated deaths.Now ,other causes such as septic bacterial infections are likely to account for an increasing proportion of all diarrhoea associated deaths . Children who are malnourished or have impaired immunity ,as well as people living with HIV ,are most at risk of life threatening diarrhoea.
Diarrhoea is passage of 3 or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual). Frequent passing of formed stools is not diarrhoea,nor is the passing of loose pasty stools by breastfed babies.
Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract ,which can be caused by a variety of bacterial,viral and parasitic or organism . Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking water or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene
PREVENTION
*Safe drinking water.
*Use of improved sanitation.
*Hand washing with soap.
CLINICAL TYPES OF DIARRHOEA
1.Acute watery diarrhoea.Last several hours or days and include cholera.
2.Acute bloody diarrhoea.Also called dysentery.
3.Persistent diarrhoea.Last 14 days or longer.
DEHYDRATION
It’s the most severe threat posed by diarrhoea.During a diarrhoeal episode,water and electrolytes (sodium chloride, potassium and bicarbonate)are lost through liquid stool ,vomit ,sweat ,urine and breathing .
SEVERE DEHYDRATION
At least two of the following signs ;
*Lethargy/unconsciousness.
*Sunken eyes .
*Unable to drink or drink poorly .
*Skin pinch goes back very slowly (>2 seconds).
SOME DEHYDRATION
At least two or more of the following signs ;
*Restlessness, irritability.
*Sunken eyes
*Drinks eagerly ,thirsty.
NO DEHYDRATION
*Not enough signs to classify as some of severe dehydration.
CAUSES
Diarrhoea is a symptom of infection caused by a host of bacterial,viral and parasitic organisms,most of which are spread by faeces – contaminated water .
Among children under 5 years of age ,the most common viral pathogens are rotavirus ,norovirus ,adenovirus and astro virus .
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
*Access to safe drinking water .
*Use of improved sanitation.
*Hand washing with soap.
*Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life .
*Good personal and food hygiene.
*Health education about how infections spread .
Rotavirus vaccination.
TREATMENT
1.Rehydration with oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution.ORS is a mixture of clean water , salts and sugar.
2.Zinc supplements reduce the duration of a diarrhoea episode by 25% and are associated with a 30% reduction in stool volume.
3.Rehydration with intravenous fluids in case of severe dehydration or shock.
.
