In rural settings with limited access to clinics, doctors and community health workers provide clear, actionable guidance focused on immediate action. For prevention, the advice centers on the "WASH" principles: using only boiled or chlorinated water, strict handwashing with soap, and proper use of latrines.
For treatment when a facility is far, the guidance is urgent and specific: at the first sign of watery diarrhea, the patient must start drinking Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) immediately and continuously. If pre-packaged ORS is not available, they are taught to make a safe homemade solution using precise amounts of salt and sugar in a known volume of clean water. This simple step is the most effective "alternative" treatment and can save lives during the critical journey to a medical facility. Community health workers are trained to administer initial ORS and identify which severe cases (e.g., those who cannot drink or are unconscious) require immediate and assisted referral. The strategy emphasizes that while ORS is a powerful first-line treatment, it is not a substitute for professional care for severe cases, but a bridge to get there alive.