Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

diarrhea, rotavirus
A leading cause of severe
diarrhea in infants and young children, often
accompanied by fever and dehydration. Treatment
includes frequent administration of fluids to prevent
dehydration, rest, good nutrition, and in some cases
medication. A preventive vaccine has been devel-
oped but is not in use at this time. See also
rotavirus.
diarrhea, travelers’
Illness, including diarrhea,
that is associated with travel to a foreign country.
Causes include viruses and the bacterium
Escherichia coli, which may be transmitted via food
or water. Prevention involves drinking bottled water;
filtering tap water or, if camping, water from natural
sources; washing fruits and vegetables purchased in
local markets with a solution of water and a few
drops of bleach; and when possible, choosing
restaurants with high standards of sanitation.
Treatment includes replacement of fluids and elec-
trolytes (sodium and other ions) lost via diarrhea.
In serious cases of persistent travelers’ diarrhea,
medical care should be sought.
diarrhea and dermatitis, zinc deficiency
See
deficiency, zinc.
diastolic
Referring to the time when the heart is
in a period of relaxation and dilation (expansion),
diaper rash
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which is called diastole. Diastolic pressure is the
minimum arterial pressure during relaxation and
dilation of the ventricles of the heart when the ven-
tricles fill with blood. In a blood pressure reading,
the diastolic pressure is typically the second num-
ber recorded. For example, in a blood pressure
reading of 120/80 (“120 over 80”), the diastolic
pressure is 80 (that is, 80 mm Hg [millimeters of
mercury]). A diastolic murmur is a heart murmur
heard during diastole. See also 
systolic.