Vaccines. Vaccines that prevent rotavirus — the most common and lethal cause of diarrheal disease — have the potential to
save nearly 2.5 million children’s lives in the next 20 years.
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Vaccines have already been approved by the WHO for use in North
America, Latin America, and Europe. Once the WHO makes a global recommendation, anticipated in 2009, Africa and Asia will
be eligible for GAVI financing for rotavirus vaccines.
Exclusive breastfeeding and optimal complementary feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding (no additional food and fluids) provides
infants six months of age and younger with essential nutrients and immune factors that both protect them from diarrheal
disease and speed diarrhea recovery when episodes occur. Optimal complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding for
infants and young children ages 6 to 24 months is essential to ensure they are healthy, well nourished, and better able to survive
an episode of diarrhea.
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT)/oral rehydration solution (ORS). Severe diarrhea can lead to life-threatening dehydration.
ORT and ORS involve rehydrating children by replacing fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. The broader intervention
method, ORT, involves rehydrating children through increased appropriate and available fluids and continued feeding to
prevent and treat diarrhea-related dehydration. ORS is a specific way of implementing ORT. It is a simple mixture of sugar and
salt added to clean water and can be administered at home.
Zinc treatment and other micronutrients. Treatment of diarrheal disease with zinc supplementation can reduce the severity
and duration of diarrhea episodes. It may also prevent future episodes for up to three months. Other micronutrients, particularly
vitamin A, are also important in controlling severe episodes.