Here are some of the more Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about
Diarrhoea, Dehydration, Oral Rehydration Therapy and Oral Rehydration Salts

- Home Prepared and PacketsCompiled from:
CDD Information paper - Author: Roger M. Goodall, UNICEF, Brochure: UNICEF India, Leaflet: AHRTAG, Health Basics To view some of the more Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Breastfeeding - Click here

If you prefer to scroll through all the Questions and Answers on one page, then kindly click here.

What to do if Dehydration Occurs

What is diarrhoea?
Why is diarrhoea dangerous?
What is dehydration?
How does dehydration occur?
What are the symptoms of dehydration?
How is dehydration treated?
What if symptoms of dehydration begin to appear?
How long will the effects of dehydration last?
What is ORT?
How does ORT work?
How do I use an ORS package?
How do I prepare an ORS solution at home?
Can the oral rehydration solution be made with dirty water?
Can the ORS solution be stored?
Can ORS be used for everyone?
What should be done if the child vomits?
Should feeding continue at the same time as ORT?
What sort of foods are good during diarrhoea?
Is it necessary to use drugs as well as ORT?
What can be done to prevent dehydration?
How can I protect myself?


Home-prepared and packets of ORS
Questions are often asked about "Home - prepared" ORS solutions and the relationship between them and pre-packed complete formula ORS. This is a discussion of our present knowledge and understanding:

When is it appropriate to recommend the use of "home-prepared oral rehydration salts" and when is prepacked ORS better?

Why is prepacked ORS referred to as "complete formula" and why is a home-prepared solution not as effective for treatment? Are they not both basically sugar, salt and water anyway?

Can potassium be made good by feeding potassium rich foods like bananas?

Does a home-prepared ORS have to be made of sugar, salt and water?

Apart from ORT, are there any other important aspects to the management of diarrhoea?