Acute diarrhea normally only lasts a few days. ORT does not stop the
diarrhoea, but it replaces the lost fluids and essential salts thus
preventing or treating dehydration and reducing the danger. The glucose
contained in ORS solution enables the intestine to absorb the fluid and
the salts more efficiently. ORT alone is an effective treatment for 90-95%
of patients suffering from acute watery diarrhoea, regardless of cause,
This makes intravenous drip therapy unnecessary in all but the most severe
cases.