Diarrhea is a common problem that can happen to just about anyone regardless of gender or status in life. Some get diarrhea once a year while others who have weaker stomachs get it more frequently. This medical condition can disappear with the ingestion of over-the-counter medications although complications can set in and prolong the agony. Not everyone are however willing to talk about diarrhea.
World Health Organization data show that there are 1.7 billion diarrhea cases every year and in 2012 alone it has already caused the death of 1.5 million. NPR said there are many causes of diarrhea including intestinal infection and food sensitivities. The pathogens rotavirus, shigella, crytosporidium and E-coli have been identified as the main causes of diarrhea especially in developing countries where they are pass on through food that have been contaminated with feces.
Diarrhea is prevalent in areas where there is no access to potable drinking water and toilets. More than 50% of diarrhea cases have been recorded in the sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asian areas with India having the highest number of deaths related to diarrhea in children below five years old. Idea Stream said this condition results in a vicious cycle until the body already has difficulty in nutrient absorption and damage to the digestive system resulting to weak immune system.
No matter the serious concerns about diarrhea, this illness is still not something that everyone wants to talk about. As a remedy, WBUR said, a competition was launched to encourage people to talk about diarrhea through poetry. The Poo Haiku campaign against diarrhea aims to put a stop to the silence prevalent in the society when it comes to diarrhea.by getting people to talk about poo through poetry, it hopes to make diarrhea a by-word that will promote awareness and reduce the number of diarrhea-related deaths.
