BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Acute gastroenteritis is generally considered a self-limiting illness that does not require the use of antibiotics. However, many emergency departments in the country frequently prescribe antibiotics to patients presenting with diarrhoea. This review attempts to determine whether this practice is reasonable. Our objective was to determine the role of antimicrobials in the...

Probiotics have been proposed for the management and prevention of acute diarrhoea in infants. A double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled study was carried out in 224 Chinese infants 6 to 36 months of age with severe acute diarrhoea and free from moderate or severe malnutrition. After oral or parenteral rehydration, they were allocated to one of three groups: a lactose-free formula (Control...

Kaempferia galanga (Family: Zingiberaceae) has immense importance in traditional health care system as a carminative, cholera, antiinflammatory, abdominal pain, dyspepsia and stomachic as well as in the diseases of coughs, pectoral affections and stoppage of the nasal blocks. Grewia paniculata (Family: Malvaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of indigestion, eczema, itch, ...

A German businessman developed acute watery diarrhoea after a three-day trip to the Philippines. He was admitted with severe hypotension and acute renal failure, but recovered with rapid rehydration. Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa was isolated. Physicians need to be aware of endemic cholera in Asia including the Philippines and consider this in their pre-travel advice.

BACKGROUND: A significant share (18%) of paediatric mortality is caused by diarrheal diseases. Children under the age five are most susceptible to viral diarrhoea. In cases acute watery diarrhoea, racecadotril, an anti-secretory medication, can limit fluid and electrolyte loss from intestine without compromising intestinal motility.
 OBJECTIVE: To compare number loose stools within first 4...

OBJECTIVE We tested whether soap presence in the home or a designated handwashing station was associated with diarrhoea and respiratory illness in Kenya. METHODS In April 2009, we observed presence of a handwashing station and soap in households participating in a longitudinal health surveillance system in rural Kenya. Diarrhoea and acute respiratory illness (ARI) in children < 5 years old we...