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TAKIS: Talk About Health Issue - Diarrhea

CIMSA UIN
May 2, 2021
2 min read

Diarrhea is the passage of unusually loose or watery stools, usually at least three times in a 24 hour period. However, it is the consistency of the stools rather than the number that is most important.

Based on WHO, there are some kind of viruses caused diarrhea, such as Norovirus and Rotavirus. However, the most common cause of severe disease in children is Rotavirus. Rotavirus vaccination programs have decreased the prevalence of diarrhea cases associated with Rotavirus.

A common cause of chronic diarrhea includes inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. In Europe, the incidence of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease has increased overall from 6.0 per 100,000 person-years in ulcerative colitis and 1.0 per 100,000 person-years in Crohn disease in 1962 to 9.8 per 100,000 person-years and 6.3 per 100,000 person-years in 2010, respectively.

Diarrhea disease is still a common public health problem in developing countries such as Indonesia because of it’s high morbidity and mortality. The morbidity survey conducted by the Diarrhea Sub-Directorate, Ministry of Health, from 2000 to 2010 shows an increasing incidence trend. Based on data from the year of 2000, IR diarrhea disease was 301/1000 population, in 2003 it increased to 374/1000 population in 2006 it increased to 423/1000, and in 2010 it increased to 411/1000. Extraordinary Events of diarrhea still occur frequently, with a high Case Fatality Rate (CFR). There was an outbreak in 2008 which happened in 69 districts with 8133 cases, 239 deaths (2.94%). In 2009 there was an outbreak in 24 districts with 5,756 cases, with 100 deaths (1.74%), while in 2010, there was an outbreak of diarrhea in 33 sub-districts with 4204 sufferers and 73 deaths (1.74%.).

Diarrhea which is caused by infections, can be prevent. Some of the steps to prevent the spread of the infections that may cause diarrhea include washing hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food, after every bout of diarrhea, the toilet, including the handle and seat, should be thoroughly cleaned with a disinfectant, avoiding sharing items like towels, handkerchiefs, utensils, etc. with a person suffering from diarrhea.

History should include the duration of symptoms, accompanying symptoms, travel history, and exposures to medications and food. It is essential to ask about the stool frequency, type, volume, and presence of blood or mucus. Patients with diarrhea may also complain of abdominal pain or cramping, vomit, bloating, flatulence, fever, and bloody or mucoid stools. Essential aspects of the physical exam include the patient’s vital signs, volume status, and abdominal exam.