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By Medical Expert Team
Jan 24 , 2022 | 2 min read
2
Here is the list of some of the waterborne diseases-
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria and can affect many organs. If you don't take the proper treatment, it can lead to various complications and even death?Symptoms of Typhoid Fever
Don't neglect symptoms of typhoid fever such as-- High-grade fever
- General body ache
- You can have watery diarrhoea due to this, leading to dehydration.
- Sweating
- Dry Cough
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation.
Acute Gastroenteritis
Acute Gastroenteritis is another bacterial infection. You can have watery diarrhoea due to this, leading to dehydration. If you ignore it, it can prove to be fatal.Symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis
- Watery Diarrhoea (Rice Water Coloured)
- Vomiting
- Dehydration- Signs of dehydration are-
- Low BP
- Rapid heart rate
- Muscle cramps
- Sunken eyes
- Dry skin
- Dry mouth
- Extreme thirst
- Little or no urination
- Fatigue
- Irritability
Giardiasis
Giardiasis is a waterborne infection caused by a parasite known as Giardia Lamba.Symptoms of Giardiasis
It affects the small intestine and causes the following symptoms-- Diarrhea – postprandial (after food)
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Dysentery (Amoebasis)
Dysentery is the inflammation of the intestine, particularly the colon and can be caused by bacteria or parasites.Symptoms of Dysentery (Amoebasis)
It causes symptoms such as-- Blood or mucus in faeces.
- Incomplete evacuation
- Repeated urge to pass stools
- Abdominal pain during passing stools
- Fatigue
Escherichia Coli Infection (Food Poisoning)
E. Coli usually normally lives in your gut and is harmless. But some strains can cause diarrhoea if you get exposed to contaminated water or food.Symptoms of Escherichia Coli Infection
Some of the symptoms of E coli infection are-- Watery to bloody diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Low grade fever
Hepatitis A & E
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is not necessary that symptoms will appear if you get infected with the hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A & E
But if you get symptoms, usually after 3-4 weeks, they are
- Low-grade fever
- Sudden nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Light colored stools
- Dark urine
- Itching
Polio
Most people suffering from polio don't have any symptoms.Symptoms of Polio
However, a fraction of the infected people show flu-like symptoms such as-- Fever
- Back pain
- Sore throat
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain.
- Paresthesia- numbness of extremities
- Paralysis
- Meningitis(inflammation of layer covering the brain and spinal cord)
Cholera
Cholera is yet another bacterial infection and is caused by Vibrio Cholerae. You can have watery diarrhoea due to this, leading to dehydration. If you ignore it, it can prove to be fatal.The symptoms are the same as Acute Gastroenteritis.
Worm Infestation
Symptoms of Worm Infestation:
- Abdomen Pain
- Loose stools
- Poor appetite
- Anaemia
- Perianal itching
Risks factors of waterborne diseases
- Lack of clean drinking water
- Poor sanitisation
- Lack of personal hygiene & Hand Hygiene
- Lack of awareness
Prevention of waterborne diseases
Drink purified water
- Avoid swallowing water while swimming
- Do not consume water directly from rivers, lakes or ponds
- Do not drink tap water.
- Use filters or RO to purify the drinking water
- Boiling water before use
Maintain personal hygiene
You should frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. You should always wash hands-- After using the toilet and after changing the diaper of your child.
- After handling animals and cleaning their faeces.
- Before eating and preparing food
- Cut nails periodically
- Discourage common towel usage
Environmental management
Flush properly. Disinfect the toilet with a chlorine based detergent and hot water. Discourage open air defecation.Vaccination
Get yourself vaccinated for diseases such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid.Food safety
- Wash all the fruits and vegetables before consumption.
- Drink pasteurised milk and have only pasteurised milk products.
- Cook all kinds of meat properly at a temperature of 71 degrees celsius.
- Keep cooked food and raw food separately.
- Clean the utensils properly.
- Do not prepare food if you have symptoms of waterborne diseases.
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