image source: https://www.who.int/health-topics/diarrhoea
We've all been there, we don't like to talk about it, but the reality of the matter is that diarrheal diseases are the fourth leading cause of death in children under 5 worldwide as of 2019 with roughly 473,000 deaths annually across the globe. However when compared to the leading causes of death in children under 5 in United States, diarrheal diseases are ranked at sixteenth place with approximately 60 annual deaths. This stark contrast is the result of many complicated factors, but a large part of it boils down to sanitation and accessibility to clean water.
What causes diarrheal diseases?
In essence, diarrheal diseases occur when pathogens get ingested, commonly through fecal-contamination. This can be through things like contaminated water, meat, vegetables, and more. Ultimately the diarrheal diseases lead to malabsorption and malnutrition, ultimately leading to severe consequences that can be fatal.
The four most common germs that lead to infant diarrheal diseases are Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium, Shigella, and E. coli. (Important to note: E. coli is a normal inhabitant of our microbiome, only certain strains can have problematic effects in our bodies). The intestines have a large surface area that in turn can get exploited by these pathogens and colonize those areas in our bodies quickly. Pathogens have their own unique mechanisms that can lead to the invasion of cells, not limited to toxin production, lysing (cutting up) cells, and manipulating host cell structure. Some pathogens have high infectious doses, meaning that a large amount of bacteria are required for colonization to be considered pathogenic, and some have low infectious doses. What differentiates the level of infectious dosage is acid-tolerance, as stomachs are the most acidic organs in the body.
What can you do to prevent diarrheal diseases?
The most important thing that can be done to prevent fecal-oral transmission is to wash your hands. Treating sewage and water lines in order to implement strong sanitation is foundational to the prevention of diarrheal diseases.
It's worth noting that damage to infrastructure often leads to outbreaks, as seen in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country and led to tens of thousands of people displaced. Furthermore, a 2013 study conducted by the University of Maryland observed a strong correlation between diarrheal related diseases and deaths resulting from civil war, terrorism, and one-sided violence. It's essential that international government organizations take these factors into account and prioritize high-risk populations (such as children) to implement disease control measures.
How do you treat diarrheal diseases?
The most common form of disease treatment is to replenish the fluids lost and administer antibiotics. Fluids are generally enhanced with electrolytes like salt, potassium, and sugars which the body loses as a result of the diarrhea.
Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by practicing good hygiene and educating others about this topic. If you are interested in looking into organizations that seek to address this global issue, attached below is a list of non-profit organizations you can research.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4691541/ Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board