Diarrhoea

1. Diarrhoea kills children by draining liquid from the body, thus dehydrating the child. As soon as diarrhoea starts, it is essential that the child be given extra fluids as well as regular foods and fluids. (Supporting Information)
2. A child's life is in danger if there are several watery stools within an hour or if there is blood in the faeces. Immediate help from a trained health worker is needed. (Supporting Information)
3. Breastfeeding can reduce the severity and frequency of diarrhoea. (Supporting Information)
4. A child with diarrhoea needs to continue eating regularly. While recovering from diarrhoea, the child needs at least an extra meal every day for at least two weeks. (Supporting Information)
5. If the child is dehydrated with severe or persistent diarrhoea, only oral rehydration solution or medicines recommended by a trained health worker should be used. Other diarrhoea medicines are generally ineffective and could be harmful to the child. (Supporting Information)
6. To prevent diarrhoea, all faeces should be disposed of in a latrine or toilet or buried. (Supporting Information)
7. Good hygiene practices protect against diarrhoea. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water or ash and water after contact with faeces, and before touching food or feeding children. (Supporting Information)