History of Diarrhea in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 18, 2026

Diarrhea is characterized by the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day. It is a common symptom usually resulting from viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections caused by contaminated food or water. Other potential triggers include digestive disorders, food intolerances, or adverse reactions to medications. The primary health risk associated with diarrhea is dehydration, which occurs due to the rapid loss of water and essential electrolytes. Management focuses on preventing dehydration through oral rehydration therapy, which involves replenishing lost fluids and salts. While most cases are acute and resolve within a few days, persistent diarrhea can indicate underlying chronic conditions requiring medical investigation. Maintaining proper hygiene, consuming safe drinking water, and practicing effective sanitation are the most critical preventive measures against infectious causes of the condition.

1973: Study on the Efficacy of Lomotil in Shigella Treatment

In 1973, research was published demonstrating that patients treated for Shigella with the anti-diarrhea medication Co-phenotrope, also known as Lomotil, experienced fever symptoms for twice as long as untreated patients, suggesting that diarrhea could serve as an evolved defense mechanism.

1980: Historical Gastroenteritis Mortality Rate

In 1980, the global death rate attributed to gastroenteritis was 4.5 million, marking a significant figure compared to subsequent data.

1985: Rotavirus and Cholera Vaccine Trials

In 1985, clinical trials for a Rotavirus vaccine demonstrated a 2-3% decrease in total diarrheal disease incidence and a 6-10% reduction in mortality among children in developing nations, while Cholera vaccine tests showed significant morbidity and mortality reduction but limited overall impact on global diarrheal disease rates.

1990: Global Diarrhea Mortality Estimate 1990

In 1990, the total number of deaths worldwide attributed to diarrhea was estimated to be 2.9 million, serving as a baseline for the later decline observed in 2019.

2000: Diarrheal disease as a leading cause of death

In the year 2000, diarrheal diseases were identified as the sixth leading cause of mortality globally.

2004: Global Diarrhea Morbidity and Mortality Report

In 2004, there were approximately 2.5 billion global cases of diarrhea, leading to 1.5 million deaths in children under five, with the highest concentrations occurring in Africa and South Asia.

2011: Global Impact of Infectious Diarrhea in Children

In 2011, infectious diarrhea was responsible for approximately 0.7 million deaths in children under the age of five and caused the loss of 250 million school days globally.

2012: Childhood Mortality Statistics 2012

During 2012, diarrhea was identified as the second leading cause of death for children under the age of five, accounting for 0.76 million deaths, or roughly 11% of all deaths in that age group.

2019: 2019 Clinical Guideline Recommendations for Diarrhea Testing

In 2019, new medical guidelines were established suggesting that testing for ova and parasites should be limited to high-risk individuals, while maintaining a recommendation for routine Giardia testing. Additionally, the 2019 guidelines advised against using Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as standard diagnostic tests for diarrhea.

2019: Global Diarrhea Mortality Estimate 2019

In 2019, the total number of deaths worldwide attributed to diarrhea was estimated to be approximately 1.53 million.

2020: Cochrane Review Findings on Probiotics for Diarrhea

In 2020, a Cochrane Review was published concluding that probiotics offer little to no benefit for individuals suffering from diarrhea lasting at least two days, noting a lack of evidence regarding their ability to shorten the duration of the condition.

2021: Reduction in diarrheal disease mortality

By the year 2021, the World Health Organization reported a 45% decrease in deaths caused by diarrheal diseases, moving it to the thirteenth leading cause of death.