Waterborne diseases are a significant health concern globally, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water. Understanding the risks associated with contaminated water is crucial for maintaining human health.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 13 diseases caused by drinking contaminated water and their symptoms, providing insights into how to protect yourself and your loved ones from waterborne pathogens.
Common Symptoms of Drinking Bad Water
Drinking unsafe drinking water can lead to various symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea: Often caused by disease-causing microbes like E. coli and other bacteria.
- Abdominal Pain: Stomach cramps and pain are common.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Frequently observed with waterborne illnesses.
- Dehydration and Fever: Symptoms often accompany gastrointestinal distress.
- Fatigue and Weakness: General signs of a waterborne illness.
Chemical contaminants such as lead and arsenic can also lead to gastrointestinal issues but are often more harmful, causing long-term health problems and nervous system damage.
Common Contaminated Water Diseases
Below are 13 common diseases caused by drinking contaminated water, along with their symptoms and implications:
1. Typhoid
Typhoid is an infection caused by a type of salmonella bacteria that can be potentially fatal if it’s left untreated. The disease displays all the common symptoms of drinking bad water such as:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- headache
- stomach pain
- coughing
- weakness
- body pain
- high fever
Some people also develop rashes but it’s rare. WHO estimates that a staggering 11-20 million people fall sick from typhoid fever each year.
2. Cholera
Cholera is a life-threatening disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria that affects the small intestines. It spreads through food and water that’s contaminated with feces but can easily be prevented with good hygiene and filtered tap water.
Common symptoms include:
- stomach pain
- severe diarrhea
- vomiting
- dehydration
- lethargy
3. Gastroenteritis
One of the most common waterborne infections, gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the intestines. It displays all the symptoms of drinking contaminated water such as:
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- fever
Even though it’s not a very serious disease in adults, it’s one of the leading causes of death among children in underdeveloped countries where access to healthcare is limited.
4. Dysentery
Dysentery is an infectious disease characterized by the inflammation of the intestines. It’s a severe form of gastroenteritis that can be caused by a number of bacteria such as Campylobacter, Shigella, E. Coli, and Salmonella.
Common symptoms of drinking bad water contaminated with these bacteria include bloody or mucusy diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weakness.
5. Giardiasis
6. Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaires' disease is a type of severe, potentially life-threatening pneumonia that’s caused by the legionella bacteria. Rather than by drinking, this infection is caused by inhaling droplets of contaminated water.
The bacteria is typically inhaled through AC units, showers, and diffusers. Symptoms of drinking bad water contaminated with legionella bacteria include fever, chills, cough, and diarrhea.
7. Plumbism
When lead, a toxic metal, starts accumulating in the body, it causes a potentially-fatal condition known as lead poisoning or plumbism. This can happen over months or years.
Symptoms of drinking lead-contaminated water include:
- neurological changes
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- nausea
- insomnia
- loss of appetite
Lead poisoning is known to cause developmental issues in children.
8. Salmonellosis
Salmonella is a common bacteria that can be found in food and water contaminated by feces. This bacteria is often the main culprit for food poisoning and is characterized by typical symptoms of drinking bad water such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever.
Salmonellosis is not often a severe infection and most healthy people recover quickly.
9. Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a type of diarrhoeal disease that’s caused by a microscopic parasite known as cryptosporidium. The parasite is found in food and water polluted by stool and is known to be resistant to even chlorine disinfection – a major reason why it’s very commonly found in public pools.
Healthy people with cryptosporidiosis recover quickly but immunocompromised people will require critical care.
10. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly-contagious contaminated water disease that’s caused by the hepatitis A virus. It spreads through contaminated food, water, and close contact with infected people.
Symptoms of drinking bad water contaminated with the hepatitis A virus include:
- abdominal pain
- weakness
- diarrhea
- fever
- nausea
- dark urine
- yellow skin and eyes
- loss of appetite
Hepatitis A can be easily prevented with a vaccine.
11. Polio
Polio or poliomyelitis is a severe infectious disease caused by the poliovirus that causes paralysis and other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, stunted growth, and more. This disease is also easily preventable with a vaccine.
12. Amoebiasis
Most water bodies in tropical regions contain a parasitic amoeba known as entamoeba histolytica which can infect the colon upon ingestion. The infection leads to severe diarrhea known as amoebic dysentery which is marked by bloody stool.
13. Arsenicosis
Prolonged exposure to water contaminated with arsenic can lead to arsenicosis. Symptoms of drinking bad water with arsenic include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramping, and skin rashes. Long-term exposure eventually leads to death if it’s untreated.
According to WHO, approximately 140 million people drink water contaminated with arsenic above the provisional guideline value.
How to Stay Safe from Contaminated Water Diseases
One of the ways to stay protected from diseases caused by drinking contaminated water is to be aware of the symptoms of drinking bad water and always use purified water for drinking.
Don’t rely on the clarity of the water to determine whether it’s safe or not because many contaminants, including microbes and toxic metals, aren’t visible to the naked eye. They don’t leave any recognizable color or smell either.
Practice good hand hygiene and wash your food in filtered or purified water only. Avoid going to overly crowded pools, lakes, and rivers, and swallowing water while swimming.
And if you notice any symptoms of drinking contaminated water, immediately seek professional help.
With AquaBliss, you can easily install filtering devices such as a multi-level shower water filter in order to improve the quality of the water in your home. If you are seeking solutions to help improve your water and combat the negative effects of harsh or hard water, explore simple and convenient solutions at AquaBliss, today.
Final Tips for Protecting Against Contaminated Water Diseases
In conclusion, understanding the diverse array of waterborne diseases and their symptoms is crucial for safeguarding your health against the dangers of contaminated water.
From gastrointestinal distress to severe infections like typhoid and cholera, the risks posed by polluted water underscore the importance of ensuring clean drinking sources.
While some symptoms can be managed with prompt medical attention, prevention remains the best strategy. By adopting measures such as using water purification systems and practicing proper hygiene, you can significantly reduce your risk of exposure to harmful contaminants.
Remember, staying vigilant and proactive about water quality is key to protecting your well-being and that of your loved ones. For added peace of mind, consider installing advanced water filtration systems from AquaBliss to ensure your home’s water is as clean and safe as possible.