Title really, is it just that our diet is better and decent food is much more abundant or is it just general hygiene?
In: 36
A lot of illnesses with high mortality rates that diarrhea is a symptom of are better treated today and are less common.
For example, cholera outbreaks occurred frequently in 19th century Europe due to poor sanitation standards. This disease caused severe diarrhea and can have a mortality rate of up to 50-60% if left untreated. Today, cholera is very rare since the public water supply is much more cleaner and less prone to contamination by disease. If someone does contract cholera, there are much more advanced medical treatment available that make the mortality rate <1% if you seek treatment.
Furthermore, complications caused by diarrhea such as dehydration and loss of nutrients can be more easily treated today as well.
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