“Diarrhea disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in children under five years old. It is both preventable and treatable.” — WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
Passing loose watery stools? No need wasting any time! Act fast. And now!
Take a lot of fluid. Dehydration (loss of body water) is one of the main causes of death when one is “purging”. Go to a pharmacy and get ORS/ORT, prepare it and start taking immediately. Keep on drinking, even if you are vomiting — most of it will be absorbed; only less of it is vomited. DRINK. Drink. Sip, don’t gulp or guzzle! Take regular, frequent sips; its better than rushing the fluid, all at once!
Buy Zinc tablets from the pharmacy. Zinc supplements reduce the duration of a purging by 25% and the volume of stool by 30%.
Wash your hands frequently and properly. Continue eating. Breast milk is best (Note: For babies only!) Have plenty of rest.
See a doctor if it is a child (especially below the age of five), if you are pregnant, or if you are elderly (say, 65 years and above); if you become too weak, drowsy, or dizzy; if your body is very hot; if there is blood in your stool; if you seem to vomit “everything” you take in; if there’s severe, “stomach” pain; if you have HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, or any serious disease; if several people in your neighborhood are also passing watery stool; if the “purging” lasts more than 3 days.
The earlier, the better.