- Main diseases caused by untreated water
- 1. Hepatitis A
- 2. Giardiasis
- 3. Amoebiasis or Amoebic Dysentery
- 4. Leptospirosis
- 5. Cholera
- 6. Ascariasis or roundworm
- 7. Typhoid Fever
- How to avoid catching these diseases
- What to do when the water is contaminated by oil
Leptospirosis, Cholera and Hepatitis A are some of the diseases that can be caused by untreated sewage, being more frequent in children between 1 and 6 years old, pregnant women and the elderly, due to changes in the immune system, which can be considered a serious one. public health problem.
These diseases arise when the water does not undergo cleaning and purification treatments that eliminate the microorganisms that contaminate the water, especially those responsible for causing diseases. Contamination can happen through direct contact with sewage, floods, due to accidental ingestion of contaminated water or through the consumption of cooked or washed food with polluted water.
Main diseases caused by untreated water
Although they are diverse, some of the main diseases that can be caused by standing water or untreated sewage include:
1. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a disease caused by the virus of the Picornavirus family and that can be transmitted through contact with water contaminated by the virus. This disease is highly contagious, characterized by inflammation of the liver and, although it is usually mild, in some cases it can evolve seriously and be fatal when left untreated.
Main Symptoms: Symptoms of Hepatitis A usually appear about 4 weeks after contamination by the virus, the main indicative of Hepatitis A being dark urine, light stools, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, fever, chills, feeling of weakness, nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue.
How is the Treatment: The treatment for Hepatitis A aims to relieve the symptoms of the disease, and the use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs may be indicated. In addition, the doctor should recommend rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Learn what to do to recover faster from hepatitis A.
2. Giardiasis
Giardiasis is an infection of the digestive system caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia whose transmission is made through the consumption of food or water contaminated by feces containing cysts of the parasite, being an infectious disease that can be transmitted between people.
Main Symptoms: The main symptoms indicative of giardiasis are abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, weakness and weight loss.
How is the Treatment: The treatment is done with drugs that fight the parasite, such as Metronidazole or Tinidazole, indicated by the doctor. It is also recommended to consume fluids throughout the day, and in case of severe dehydration due to diarrhea, hydration directly in the vein may be necessary.
3. Amoebiasis or Amoebic Dysentery
Amoebiasis or amoebic dysentery is an infection caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica , which settles in the intestine and prevents the absorption of important nutrients for the body. It is transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated by feces containing mature amoebic cysts. Learn more about this disease in what is Amebiasis.
Main Symptoms: Usually, the main symptoms of amoebiasis are abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and chills, in addition to stools with blood or mucus, in some cases. In more severe cases, the disease can develop the invasive form, in which other organs such as liver, respiratory tract and even brain are infected.
How it is treated : In general, antiparasitic remedies such as Secnidazole, Metronidazole or Tinidazole are used to combat amebiasis, however the duration and dose is guided by the doctor according to the severity of the infection.
4. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacterium present in the urine of sewage rats, or other infected animals such as dogs and cats, that penetrates the body through contact with the excrement of these animals or contaminated water with injured skin or mucous membranes, such as eyes, nose.
Main Symptoms: The main symptoms of leptospirosis are high fever, headache, body pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and chills.
How is the Treatment: The treatment for leptospirosis should be guided by the doctor, with the use of antibiotics to fight the bacteria and analgesics to relieve pain and fever. Learn more about what it is and how to prevent leptospirosis.
5. Cholera
Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae that can contaminate water and food. The production of toxins by this bacterium is responsible for the appearance of symptoms, and it is important that the identification of this bacterium is done as soon as possible to avoid complications, such as severe dehydration.
Main Symptoms: Cholera symptoms appear between 2 and 5 days after infection by the bacteria and there is mainly severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to severe dehydration.
How is the Treatment: The treatment for cholera has the main objective of preventing dehydration, so it is recommended to perform oral hydration and, in the most severe cases, directly in the vein, and hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics may also be necessary.
See more about cholera.
6. Ascariasis or roundworm
Ascariasis is a verminosis caused by the parasite Ascaris lumbricoides , also known as roundworm, which inhabits, develops and multiplies in the intestine. This disease is transmitted by eating water or food contaminated with the parasite's eggs.
Main Symptoms: The main symptoms of ascariasis are abdominal pain, nausea, difficulty in evacuating and loss of appetite.
How is the Treatment: The treatment is done with the use of antiparasitic drugs indicated by the doctor, such as Albendazole, which must be done according to the medical advice.
7. Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi , and its transmission is made through the consumption of water and food contaminated with the parasite.
Main Symptoms: High fever, vomiting, bellyache, constipation, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss or red spots on the skin can be indicative of typhoid fever. Understand what typhoid fever is and how to identify symptoms.
How is the Treatment: The treatment is done with the use of antibiotics, according to medical advice, being very important rest and hydration during the recovery phase. This is a disease that can be prevented with the typhoid vaccine.
How to avoid catching these diseases
In order to protect and prevent these diseases, contact with sewage, contaminated or untreated water, floods, mud or rivers with standing water should be avoided, and the use of untreated chlorine pools is also discouraged.
To ensure your safety, it is advisable to always boil water before using it, either to wash or prepare food or to drink, if it is not filtered. In addition, you can also choose to use sodium hypochlorite to disinfect and purify the water.
What to do when the water is contaminated by oil
When in contact with oil or water contaminated by this substance, it is important to wash the area well with soap and water and be aware of the appearance of any respiratory or skin changes that may be related to this exposure, it is important to go to the clinic or to the hospital if symptoms develop. According to the signs and symptoms presented by the person, the general practitioner may recommend the use of corticosteroids and hydration.
Although in most cases the diseases transmitted by contaminated water are related to the presence of microorganisms, it is also possible to acquire signs and symptoms of diseases when in contact with the oil that may be present in the water, these clinical manifestations being the result of the reaction of the chemical substances in that substance or due to the inhalation of oil vapors. In addition, prolonged exposure can favor the development of more serious diseases, such as leukemia and neurological disorders.
When a person is exposed to oil for a long time, without any type of protection, it is possible that some signs and symptoms may appear, such as burning eyes, itching and red sores or spots on the skin, headache, nausea, vomiting and respiratory changes, such as difficulty in breathing, for example.
Therefore, to prevent symptoms from arising and the risk of developing diseases, it is important to use personal protective equipment before coming into contact with oil, such as a disposable mask, goggles, gloves and boots or rubber galoshes. In addition, it is recommended to wear waterproof clothing that covers the legs and arms.
