Diarrhoea at home: how to use ORS and zinc

Diarrhoea causes the body to lose water and salts quickly. In young children and older people, this can lead to dangerous dehydration within hours. The good news is that oral rehydration salts (ORS) can prevent most of these cases.

How to prepare ORS

1. Wash your hands with soap.
2. Pour the whole sachet into a clean container.
3. Add the exact amount of clean drinking water written on the pack. Too little water makes the solution too salty; too much makes it weak.
4. Stir until dissolved.
5. Use within 24 hours, then make a fresh batch.

How to give it

• Give small, frequent sips from a cup or spoon, especially to children.
• If the child vomits, wait 10 minutes, then continue more slowly.
• Keep going for as long as the diarrhoea continues.
• Keep breastfeeding babies, and keep offering food to older children.

Why zinc?

For children with diarrhoea, the World Health Organization recommends zinc supplements alongside ORS for 10 to 14 days. Zinc helps the child recover faster and reduces the chance of diarrhoea returning in the following months. Ask us for the right dose for your child's age.

Danger signs: go to a clinic or hospital immediately

• Blood in the stool
• The child is very sleepy, floppy or difficult to wake
• Sunken eyes, no tears when crying, or very dry mouth
• Not passing urine for 6 hours or more
• Unable to drink, or vomiting everything
• Diarrhoea in a baby under 6 months
• Diarrhoea lasting more than 2 days, or with a high fever

Every home should have ORS in the first aid box. Pick some up next time you visit.