In most cases, tap water in cities is contaminated by contact with septic tanks or sewage lines. Unhygienic living, defecation anywhere and near water sources, improper hand washing, unhygienic food storage, consumption of rotting refrigerated food in shops, restaurants or at home are considered to be some of the causes of diarrhoea.
When someone has diarrhoea, if s/he has loose stools three or more times a day, the patient needs to take ORSaline.
Preparation
One packet of saline has to be mixed in half a litre of water. Adults (over 10 years of age) with diarrhoea needs to drink a glass (250 ml) of saline after each bowel movement. If children have diarrhoea, after each bowel movement, they have to be fed saline approximately as much as the child's weight, as many teaspoons or as much as the bowel movements.
If the child vomits, it needs to be fed slowly, i.e. a teaspoonful of saline every 3 or 4 minutes. In addition to saline, children under 2 years of age must be breastfed and it should not be withheld under any circumstances.
Patients older than 6 months should eat a normal diet along with ORSaline.
The patient needs to be given plenty of fluids, such as bottled water, broth, soup, etc, along with ORSaline, but no soft drinks, fruit juice, grapes or pomegranate.
Children aged 6 months to 5 years should be fed one zinc tablet mixed with water for 10 days. Still, if the patient's condition does not improve or worsens, parents should contact the nearest hospital, health centre or doctor as soon as possible.
How to avoid diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is a waterborne disease, caused by drinking contaminated water and consumption of rotting food, according to experts.
So, to avoid being infected by diarrhoea, people should boil tap water, keep it in the oven for another five minutes and drink it cold.
If there is no boiling system, water can be made safe with one water-purifying chlorine tablet per 3 litres of water.
Eating unhygienic and street food can cause diarrhoea.
People should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds before eating.
Moreover, washing hands with soap is important after using the toilet or cleaning the baby's toilet.
In case of children, they should not be given anything in the feeder. If it is a must, the feeder must be washed thoroughly with boiled water and soap. The nipple hole of the feeder should be cleaned as well.
