Originally Posted by
Traveler
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC, some half million children around the world die annually due to diarrhea related complications. In the US, which ranks around 72nd in diarrhea related deaths, there are approximately 1,500 deaths per year. Clearly its not on par with tobacco related deaths, however if one is not among the "most" who survive it without complications, it becomes a very serious issue.
We are very fortunate here in the US, having (for the moment anyway) water filtration systems that reduces pathogens and parasites that lead to diarrhea along with a robust medical industry that has simple to complex medicines and care for acute symptoms. There are failures in the water system of course, Flint MI being a good example of what happens when the regulatory requirements are skirted for short term monetary gains and when we see them there are corresponding long term effects of tainted drinking water.
Given the facts of what diarrhea is and the complications it introduces to the human body, I consider it a medical necessity to avoid it whenever possible. Though most all of us experience diarrhea symptoms occasionally, we tend to think of it more of an annoyance than life threatening until the impact of dehydration and/or other complications changes opinion that diarrhea is not a serious issue. I have not ever heard an MD say not to worry about diarrhea, but I have not talked to all of them.