Current treatment of infectious diarrhea

Diarrheal illness in the developing world continues to be a major cause of mortality (with an estimated 4 million childhood deaths each year). In the U.S., diarrheal diseases are a major cause of morbidity among children and the elderly, often resulting in hospitalizations. The severity of the disease varies widely, although it is easily recognized clinically. Treatment is simple and inexpensive, consisting of (a) hydration, primarily using oral rehydration solutions (ORS), and (b) antimicrobials for specific pathogens only.