Infectious diarrhea in developed and developing countries

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005 Oct;39(9):757-73. doi: 10.1097/01.mcg.0000177231.13770.07.

Abstract

Diarrhea from gastrointestinal infection remains a common problem. In industrialized countries, management is aimed at reducing morbidity and defining groups that may benefit from further investigation. Most infectious diarrhea is self-limiting and only requires supportive management. Viral agents are increasingly recognized as causative agents of epidemic and sporadic diarrhea. In developing countries, diarrhea is a major cause of mortality in children. Oral rehydration therapy, guided by a clinical assessment of the degree of dehydration, is cheap, simple, and effective and remains the mainstay of management of infant diarrhea. Controversies focus on the optimal formulation of oral rehydration solution. A vaccine against rotavirus has the potential to save millions of lives worldwide.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / etiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Cross Infection / therapy
  • Developed Countries* / statistics & numerical data
  • Developing Countries* / statistics & numerical data
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology
  • Dysentery* / epidemiology
  • Dysentery* / etiology
  • Dysentery* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Travel
  • World Health Organization