WhatsApp is another social media platform I use to keep the population informed and raise awareness of public health issues emerging. On Friday morning, April 1st, 2022, I posted on my WhatsApp status a recipe on how to prepare your own Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution at home. Several people reached out to me to find out what ORS was and its use in cholera.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera can kill within hours if left untreated [1]. With the ongoing cholera outbreak in Cameroon, especially in the South West Region, with an alarming rise in cases, diarrhea and vomiting are the signs and symptoms. Diarrhea is defined by passing out loose or watery stools three or more times a day. Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, medications, allergies to certain foods, eating foods that upset your stomach, etc. [2].
Diarrhea can be mild, which lasts for two days, or severe, which lasts for weeks. Mild diarrhea usually goes away with no medical intervention, while severe diarrhea leads to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney failure. Diarrhea is not uncommon, but most people do not realize how dangerous it can be, especially in young children and the elderly.
And this is where the oral rehydration salt solution comes in. Oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution or therapy replaces body fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea and vomiting. Simply, it treats dehydration. It is a mixture of water, sugar, and salt. ORS sachet packets can be bought from an accredited pharmacy. However, it could also be made at home by combining 1 liter of boiled water, 6 cubes or level teaspoons of sugar, and a half level teaspoon of salt [2].
If you do decide to make your own ORS solution at home, you must follow the instructions. Too much sugar or salt could actually worsen the diarrhea situation, especially in young children. Parents and caregivers should encourage the child or adult to drink the ORS solution after every loose stool as much as they can tolerate.
From your observation, if diarrhea persists, it is advisable to rush the child or adult to the nearest hospital. A laboratory test and a confirmed diagnosis are the only means of knowing the cause of diarrhea. Please, time is of the essence in situations like this because severely dehydrated patients are at risk of shock and would require the rapid administration of intravenous fluids [1]. Keep in mind that ORS solutions can also be used for other illnesses where dehydration is an issue, not just for cholera [3].
Just as its name indicates, the main goal of ORS solution or therapy is to rehydrate.
References
1. Cholera. (2022). Retrieved 2 April 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera
2. Cholera - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. (2022). Retrieved 2 April 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cholera/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355293
3. Image Credit: https://www.chinookmed.com/18120pa/oral-rehydration-salts.html
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