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GuidelinesIMCI

Plan A: Treat for Diarrhoea at Home

IMCI - Child (Age 2 months up to 5 years)

Counsel the Caregiver on the 4 Rules of Home Treatment:

1. Give Extra Fluid - as much as the child will take

  • Counsel the caregiver:
    - Breastfeed frequently and for longer at each feed
    - If the child is exclusively breastfed, give sugar-salt solution (SSS) or ORS in addition to breastmilk
    - If the child is not receiving breastmilk or is not exclusively breastfed, give one or more of the following: food-based fluids such as soft porridge, amasi (maas) or SSS or ORS
    - It is especially important to give ORS at home when:
        - the child has been treated with Plan B or Plan C during this visit
        - the child cannot return to a clinic if the diarrhoea gets worse
  • Teach the caregiver how to mix and give SSS or ORS:
    - To make SSS:
    1 litre boiled water + 8 level teaspoons sugar + half a level teaspoon salt
    SSS is the solution to be used at home to prevent dehydration

NB The contents of the ORS sachet is mixed with clean water and administered to correct dehydration

  • Show the caregiver how much fluid to give in addition to the usual fluid intake:
    - Up to 2 years: 50 to 100 ml after each loose stool
    - 2 years or more: 100 to 200 ml after each loose stool
  • Counsel the caregiver to:
    - Give frequent small sips from a cup
    - If the child vomits, wait 10 minutes. Then continue, but more slowly
    - Continue giving extra fluid until the diarrhoea stops 

2.Give Zinc 

3. Continue Feeding - Refer to the Counsel the Mother or Caregiver on Infant & Young Child Feeding: 

4. When to Return Birth to 2 months or 2 months to 5 years 

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Integrated Management of Childhood Illness 2022; Child (Age 2 months up to 5 years); Oral Medicines; Plan A: Treat for Diarrhoea at Home

Last checked for updates: June 2023

NeoHealth® ID 20328 · updated 8/18/2023