Diarrhea causes loose, watery stool to be excreted often as much as three times a day. Although in most cases it only lasts a day or two, some cases may become prolonged. Because of the watery nature of the stools excreted, victims become dehydrated rapidly. Children and the elderly are hit the hardest as they dehydrate the fastest. Prolonged diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, which poses a significant threat to their health and may cause death.

The majority of people who are seriously affected by diarrhea are those who live in developing countries. People who do not have access to clean drinking water or live in unsanitary conditions are more often exposed to the bacteria, parasites, and viruses that cause diarrhea. Furthermore, children are hit even harder, as their immune systems are not as strong as adults, and therefore it is harder for them to fight off infections. However, people in developed countries still develop diarrhea, as they eat more and more processed foods, which contain little to or no fiber. Fiber is essential to keeping your intestines clean, as it acts as a broom, flushing parasites and bacteria out of the body.

Diarrhea is most prevalent in Africa and Asia; 8.5% of all deaths in Asia and 7.7% of deaths in Africa are caused by diarrhea. Diarrhea is the cause of 2.2 million deaths each year.

Diarrhea can be caused by a number of different things. Diarrhea can be of viral origin. It can also be caused by bacterial or parasitic infections, which enter the intestines through contaminated food and water. In most cases, diarrhea is spread through contaminated water.

Symptoms of diarrhea include abdominal pain, nausea and loose, watery stool. Symptoms in small children include sunken eyes, no tears when crying, and a dry sticky mouth. These symptoms may last as short as 2 or 3 days, or longer then 4 weeks, depending on the type of diarrhea the victim is experiencing (acute or chronic).

Since diarrhea is caused by the body trying to remove the infectious agent from the intestinal tract, letting it run its course is usually the best thing to do. Of course, victims must replace all the lost fluids to prevent dehydration. There are antibiotics that are available to stop diarrhea, however most doctors only prescribe them to patients if they are in dire need of bladder control. 88% of diarrhea that occurs in children in the developing world could be prevented using methods already developed, and used in the developing world.

To prevent dehydration, a number of methods can be used. The most prominent method is ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts), which contains vital nutrients that help hydrate the body, such as sodium, glucose, chloride, potassium, and citrate. These essential nutrients help fight off dehydration, while increasing the speed that water is absorbed into the body. The prescription of ORS in developing countries has proven to be an effective measure in preventing deaths from Diarrhea.

Diarrhea can be prevented easily in the developed world by making sure that the drinking water is clean, and that food is properly cooked. However, in poverty stricken areas, this is not always easy - when water is scarce, decisions must be made on how it is used. The lack of clean water in developing countries is one the major causes of diarrhea. To prevent diarrhea in these countries, clean water must be available to all.

Michael G (14) and Patrick G (12), Doors to Diplomacy 2007