DIARRHOEA

DIARRHOEA

When a person passes a watery stool three or more times a day, they have diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is a problem for many people with HIV/AIDS; it leads to loss of water and minerals from the body. This loss is even greater if the person is vomiting. In severe cases, diarrhoea causes dehydration, poor absorption of food, significant weight loss and malnutrition, resulting in weakness and further illness. In young children diarrhoea can quickly become serious and, if not treated, lead to death.

Diarrhoea can have many causes. It may be a symptom of disease or a side-effect of medicines and is often caused by contamination of food because of food hygiene problems. It can be made worse by eating certain foods.

Many people mistakenly believe that with diarrhoea they should stop eating and drinking and take medicines. However, reducing food intake may make the problem more serious. Discuss the use of anti-diarrhoeal medicine with a health worker or doctor. Do not use medicine prescribed for other people.

Diarrhoea is the body's way of removing poisonous materials from the gut. Even though most diarrhoea will cease after a few days, the best action is to drink lots of fluid (or the oral rehydration solution ORS) described in the box on p. 37-38, continue eating and treat any underlying cause, if known, until the diarrhoea ceases.

Most diarrhoea can be treated at home, following the simple instructions below. Seek advice from a health worker if it lasts for more than three days, if fever develops, blood appears in the stool, or if you become very weak.

Prevention is better than cure. Many cases of diarrhoea can be prevented by following the rules of hygiene given in Chapter five.