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Spring is in the air... and so is rotavirus.
Area of the world affected:
· Diarrheal illnesses were responsible for 1.6 million deaths for children under 5 globally in 2002.
· This number has improved over the years, in part due to oral rehydration salts (ORS) which were developed for cholera.
Relevance to the US physician:
http://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/nrevss/rotavirus/region.html#top
· ORS are also important for rotavirus treatment and uncomplicated gastroenteritis in children and adults.
· Commercially prepared solutions have different concentrations of ingredients, but all will work as better treatment and rehydration than common household products like sports drinks and juice.
Bottom line:
Consider ORS in patients with uncomplicated acute gastroenteritis.
University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health
Author: Jennifer Reifel Saltzberg, MD, MPH
References
Atia AN, Buchman AL. Oral rehydration solutions in non-cholera diarrhea: a review. Am J Gastroenterol 2009;104(10):2596-604.
Sentongo, TA. The Use of Oral Rehydration Solutions in Children and Adults. Current Gastroenterology Reports 2004; 6:307–313.