Dysentery, persistent diarrhea, and diarrhea in a child with malnutrition require skilled care including appropriate antibiotic administration. Therefore, healthcare workers need to be familiar with diarrhea's various forms and practice guidelines in order to effectively treat children to reduce the under-5 mortality rate.  Likewise, they must also engage in teaching families how to appropriately care for their children at home, so that families can take appropriate action to save their children. 

Diarrhea's impact on children's health will continue to be seen for years to come. Short-term and long-term consequences from diarrhea yield a decrease in quality of life.  Focusing on only one aspect of the disease, however, will not suffice.  The monitoring of other diseases such as malnutrition and immuno-compromising illnesses is essential as they contribute greatly to the disease's onset and reoccurrence.  

As demonstrated, there are concrete and immediate interventions that can reduce the number of children suffering from diarrhea. That being said, the underlying concerns regarding prevention can be addressed in order to achieve a long-term impact. If devised and implemented at the community level, with a strong plan of action and achievable indicators, health care workers and families will not only be able to treat children with diarrhea, but also jumpstart long-term reduction in diarrhea, and ultimately, childhood mortality.

Perhaps, one day this disease, and others, will be conquered as countries continue their efforts to fulfill MDG4.