There are three classification tables for classifying diarrhoea:

• All children with diarrhoea are classified for dehydration.
• If a child has had diarrhoea for 14 days or more, the child should be classified as having persistent diarrhoea.
• If a child has blood in the stool, the child should be classified as having dysentery.

You are now going to look at each of these classifications in turn, beginning with classifying dehydration.