Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea (see spelling differences), is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel motions. (from the Greek word, literally meaning "through-flowing"). Acute infectious diarrhea is a common cause of death in developing countries (particularly among infants), accounting for 5 to 8 million deaths annually. Much of the incidence of these deaths is due to the lack of adequate safe water and lack of sewage treatment capacity; the separation of drinking water from contaminated sewage is also a major issue.