Updated: August 2026
Diarrhoea is common, but it should not be treated casually.
In many cases, diarrhoea settles within a few days. The main danger is usually dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and anyone losing large amounts of fluid through frequent watery stools or vomiting.
This is why the first priority is not a herbal mixture, a special food or an antibiotic.
It is replacing the water and salts the body is losing.
Oral rehydration solution, usually called ORS, is one of the most effective treatments for preventing and treating dehydration caused by diarrhoea. WHO recommends ORS as a central part of diarrhoea management. (World Health Organization)
Quick Answer: What Should You Do When Someone Has Diarrhoea?
For most uncomplicated diarrhoea:
Start ORS early.
Continue breastfeeding in infants and young children.
Continue appropriate food and fluids if the person can eat.
Watch carefully for dehydration.
Seek medical assessment for blood in stool, persistent vomiting, severe weakness, high fever, severe abdominal pain, or worsening symptoms.
Seek urgent care for severe dehydration, confusion, inability to drink, or markedly reduced urination.
Children may also benefit from zinc supplementation according to current clinical guidance and local protocols. UNICEF continues to emphasize the combined use of ORS and zinc in childhood diarrhoea. (UNICEF)
What Is Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea generally means passing loose or watery stools more frequently than usual.
It can be classified broadly as:
Acute diarrhoea, lasting a short period.
Persistent diarrhoea, continuing for a longer period.
Bloody diarrhoea, where visible blood is present in the stool.
The cause and severity determine what treatment is needed.
What Causes Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea has many possible causes.
Common ones include:
viral infections
bacterial infections
contaminated food or water
parasites
food intolerance
some medicines
bowel disorders
stress or anxiety in some people
In Nigeria and other settings where water and sanitation problems remain important, diarrhoea may also occur during outbreaks of infections such as cholera.
Diarrhoea Is Not the Same as Cholera
Most diarrhoea is not cholera.
Cholera is a specific infection caused by Vibrio cholerae and can cause sudden, profuse watery diarrhoea and very rapid dehydration.
During outbreaks, people with severe watery diarrhoea need prompt medical assessment.
You can read our detailed guide to Cholera in Nigeria: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment.
NCDC also emphasizes early ORS and rapid rehydration in cholera management. (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control)
Why Dehydration Is the Main Danger
When someone has diarrhoea, the body loses:
water
sodium
potassium
bicarbonate
other electrolytes
If these losses are not replaced, dehydration develops.
Young children can become dehydrated particularly quickly.
Signs of Dehydration
Possible signs include:
increased thirst
dry mouth
reduced urination
darker urine
weakness
dizziness
sunken eyes
irritability
unusual sleepiness
In children, additional warning signs may include poor feeding and reduced activity.
Signs of Severe Dehydration
Seek urgent medical care if someone with diarrhoea has:
inability to drink
persistent vomiting preventing fluid intake
very little or no urine
extreme weakness
confusion or reduced consciousness
very sunken eyes
cold hands or feet
rapid deterioration
signs of shock
Severe dehydration may require intravenous fluids in addition to ORS. WHO recommends IV rehydration for severe dehydration or shock. (World Health Organization)
What Is ORS?
ORS stands for oral rehydration salts.
When mixed with the correct amount of safe water, ORS creates a solution containing glucose and electrolytes in proportions that help the intestine absorb water effectively.
It does not simply “stop diarrhoea.”
Its job is more important:
ORS prevents or treats dehydration while the underlying illness resolves or receives treatment.
WHO describes ORS as a mixture that replaces water and electrolytes lost in stool. (World Health Organization)
How Should ORS Be Used?
Use a commercially prepared ORS sachet where available.
Mix it with exactly the amount of clean water stated on the packet.
Do not make the solution stronger by using less water.
Do not make it weaker by adding extra water unless the manufacturer's instructions say so.
Give small, frequent amounts, particularly if the person feels nauseated.
If vomiting occurs, pause briefly and then resume slowly.
For children, continue offering ORS frequently after loose stools according to guidance from a healthcare professional or the product instructions.
Can You Make ORS at Home?
Packaged ORS is preferable because the salt and glucose concentrations are standardized.
If commercially prepared ORS is temporarily unavailable, health authorities may recommend a correctly prepared home solution in some circumstances.
But mistakes in salt concentration can be dangerous.
For that reason, this article does not recommend guessing measurements.
Obtain standard ORS as soon as possible, especially for young children or anyone with significant diarrhoea.
Should Someone With Diarrhoea Stop Eating?
Usually, no.
People often believe the gut needs to be completely “rested.”
But prolonged fasting can worsen weakness and nutrition.
Children should generally continue age-appropriate feeding, and breastfeeding should continue.
For adults who can eat, choose foods that are tolerated comfortably.
Examples may include:
rice
potatoes
bananas
bread
porridge
soups
other familiar foods
There is no need to rely on one special “diarrhoea food.”
The priority is maintaining hydration and nutrition.
Should Breastfeeding Stop During Diarrhoea?
No.
Breastfeeding should generally continue.
Breast milk provides fluid, nutrition and immune protection.
Stopping breastfeeding during diarrhoea can increase the risk of dehydration and nutritional problems.
What About Zinc for Children?
Zinc has an established role in childhood diarrhoea management.
UNICEF continues to promote ORS plus zinc because zinc can reduce the duration and severity of diarrhoea and lower the risk of another episode soon afterward. (UNICEF)
However, zinc dosing recommendations have evolved, and recent WHO guidance has considered lower-dose regimens in some children to reduce vomiting. (PubMed)
Because dosing depends on age and the current guideline being followed, parents should use the dose recommended by a qualified healthcare professional or national programme rather than relying on old internet dosage tables.
Do Antibiotics Treat Diarrhoea?
Not routinely.
Many episodes of acute watery diarrhoea are viral or self-limiting.
Unnecessary antibiotics can:
cause side effects
disrupt normal gut bacteria
contribute to antibiotic resistance
fail to treat the actual cause
Antibiotics may be needed in selected situations, including some bacterial infections or severe cholera, but this is a clinical decision.
WHO and other guidance discourage routine antibiotics for uncomplicated acute watery diarrhoea. (PubMed)
What If There Is Blood in the Stool?
Visible blood in diarrhoea is an important warning sign.
It can occur with infections that require specific treatment or other bowel conditions.
Do not manage bloody diarrhoea only with home remedies.
Seek medical assessment.
What If There Is Fever?
Fever can occur with gastrointestinal infection, but high or persistent fever may suggest a more significant infection.
Seek medical advice when diarrhoea is accompanied by:
high fever
blood in stool
severe abdominal pain
repeated vomiting
worsening weakness
When Is Diarrhoea Dangerous in a Child?
Children can deteriorate quickly.
Seek medical assessment promptly if a child:
cannot drink or breastfeed
vomits repeatedly
becomes unusually sleepy
has blood in stool
has very frequent watery stools
urinates much less than usual
has sunken eyes
appears severely weak
has diarrhoea that is not improving
Infants deserve particular caution because their fluid reserves are smaller.
When Should an Adult See a Doctor?
Seek medical advice if diarrhoea:
is severe
continues longer than expected
contains blood
occurs with persistent fever
causes significant dehydration
occurs with severe abdominal pain
begins after recent antibiotic use
occurs in someone with significant immune suppression
occurs after travel or known outbreak exposure
repeatedly returns
Older adults and people with chronic illnesses may become dehydrated more quickly and may need earlier assessment.
Are “Home Remedies” Useful?
Some traditional foods or drinks may be comfortable and can contribute fluid or nutrition.
But the phrase home remedy can become dangerous when it implies that rice water, herbal mixtures or other preparations can replace ORS or medical care.
They cannot.
The essential priorities are:
rehydration + appropriate feeding + monitoring + medical care when indicated.
Does Banana Cure Diarrhoea?
No.
Bananas contain carbohydrate and potassium and may be easy to tolerate, but they do not treat the underlying cause of infectious diarrhoea.
They can be part of a normal diet while someone recovers.
Does Rice Water Stop Diarrhoea?
Rice-based foods can provide energy and may be easy to tolerate.
However, rice water should not replace properly prepared ORS when dehydration is a concern.
The electrolyte composition of ORS is specifically designed for rehydration.
What About Coconut Water?
Coconut water contains fluid and electrolytes.
It may contribute to hydration in someone with mild illness who can drink normally.
But its electrolyte composition is not the same as standard ORS.
Use ORS when treating diarrhoeal dehydration.
Should You Drink Soft Drinks or Sports Drinks?
Sugary soft drinks are not ideal for treating diarrhoeal dehydration.
Very high sugar concentrations can sometimes worsen diarrhoea.
Sports drinks are also not formulated specifically for diarrhoeal fluid losses.
ORS remains the preferred rehydration fluid when dehydration is present.
Can Herbal Mixtures Treat Diarrhoea?
Some herbal products are promoted for diarrhoea, but their composition, dosage and safety may be uncertain.
Unregulated mixtures can:
contain unknown ingredients
interact with medicines
delay effective treatment
worsen liver or kidney problems
Avoid relying on herbal remedies in children, severe diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea or suspected cholera.
How Can Diarrhoea Be Prevented?
Many diarrhoeal illnesses are preventable.
Important measures include:
safe drinking water
handwashing with soap
safe food preparation
proper sanitation
safe disposal of faeces
breastfeeding
appropriate childhood vaccination
improved nutrition
NCDC repeatedly emphasizes water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in preventing cholera and other diarrhoeal disease in Nigeria. (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control)
Handwashing Matters
Wash hands with soap and safe water:
after using the toilet
after cleaning a child who has passed stool
before preparing food
before eating
before feeding a child
Simple hygiene can interrupt faecal-oral transmission.
Safe Water Matters
Where drinking-water safety is uncertain:
use an approved safe source
boil water where recommended
store treated water in clean containers
avoid contaminating water with dirty cups or hands
During cholera outbreaks, follow current NCDC and local public-health instructions.
Vaccination Can Prevent Some Causes
Vaccines can prevent important causes of diarrhoeal illness.
For example, rotavirus vaccination helps protect young children against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Routine childhood immunization therefore contributes to reducing diarrhoeal disease burden.
If a child has missed vaccines, read our guide to Missed Childhood Vaccines in Nigeria: What Parents Should Do About Delayed Immunization once the updated 2017 page is published.
Common Myths About Diarrhoea
Myth: The main goal is to stop the stool immediately.
Fact: Preventing dehydration is often more important than immediately stopping bowel movements.
Myth: Someone with diarrhoea should not drink water.
Fact: Fluid replacement is essential.
Myth: Antibiotics should be taken for every case.
Fact: Most acute watery diarrhoea does not require routine antibiotics.
Myth: Children should stop breastfeeding.
Fact: Breastfeeding should usually continue.
Myth: Herbal mixtures are safer because they are natural.
Fact: Natural products can still cause harm, and unregulated mixtures may contain unknown ingredients.
Myth: ORS cures the infection.
Fact: ORS replaces lost fluid and electrolytes. It does not directly kill most infectious causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for diarrhoea?
The most important initial treatment is usually appropriate rehydration, especially ORS when fluid losses are significant. Additional treatment depends on the cause and severity.
How long does diarrhoea normally last?
Many acute episodes improve within several days, but duration varies by cause.
Persistent, severe or worsening diarrhoea needs assessment.
Can diarrhoea cause death?
Yes.
Severe dehydration can be fatal, particularly in young children and during diseases such as cholera.
What should I give a child with diarrhoea?
Continue breastfeeding and appropriate feeding, provide ORS, and seek professional advice regarding zinc and other treatment.
Is ORS only for children?
No.
Adults with diarrhoeal fluid loss can also benefit from ORS.
Should I take loperamide?
Antidiarrhoeal medicines are not appropriate for everyone and may be unsafe in some infections, particularly bloody diarrhoea or significant fever.
Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist before using them.
When should I worry about cholera?
During an outbreak or after relevant exposure, sudden profuse watery diarrhoea and rapid dehydration require urgent assessment.
Read Cholera in Nigeria: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment for more detail.
Key Takeaways
If someone develops diarrhoea:
start replacing fluids early
use ORS when dehydration is a risk
continue breastfeeding and appropriate food
watch for dehydration
avoid unnecessary antibiotics
seek care for blood in stool, severe symptoms or worsening illness
seek urgent care for severe dehydration
use safe water and hygiene measures to prevent spread
The most important update from the old “home remedies” approach is this:
ORS is not optional background advice. It is the foundation of safe diarrhoea management.
The Bottom Line
Most diarrhoea can be managed successfully when dehydration is recognised and treated early.
The danger comes when people focus on “stopping the stool” while ignoring the fluid and electrolytes being lost.
ORS has saved millions of lives because it addresses that immediate danger.
Food, rest and familiar fluids can support recovery.
But they should not replace proper rehydration.
And when diarrhoea is severe, bloody, persistent or accompanied by serious dehydration, the right treatment is medical assessment, not another home remedy.
References and Further Reading
World Health Organization: Diarrhoeal Disease
WHO: The Treatment of Diarrhoea
UNICEF: Oral Rehydration Salts and Zinc
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control: Cholera Fact Sheet
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