5 Serious Diseases From Polluted Water That You Should Be Informed About

Water contaminated is as relevant as ever and as a major global issue, it’s not to be taken lightly. Thus, whether you’re traveling to a developing country or if simply want to know what the most serious diseases from polluted water are, then you’ve come to the right place.

It’s only natural to want to know more about the dangers of dirty water because we humans are incredibly dependent on water for our survival (even more than food) and over 60% of our bodies are made of water.

And due to the sometimes horrible consequences associated with the consumption of unclean water, you should always think twice before drinking water with dubious quality.

What Diseases Are Caused By Untreated Water?

Polluted water is a magnet for all kinds of unpleasant viruses and bacteria and while there’s a myriad of awful waterborne diseases, these five are arguably the most serious ones out there:

5. Diarrhea

This is a very widespread condition as most people have most likely experienced diarrhea at least once during their lifetime. The most common way of catching this disease is by drinking water that’s contaminated by excrements (human or animal).

The easiest way to spot diarrhea is if you have at least 3 bowel movements per day and if they’re all watery, without the typical texture of poop. Because of this, dehydration is a major
concern when it comes to diarrhea.

While it might not necessarily kill you, you have to remember that according to the World Health Organization, more than 520,000 children die from diarrhea, every single year!

4. Cholera

Cholera can be considered diarrhea’s big brother as it’s much more severe and it can be lethal if not dealt with within hours of infection. Apart from terrible diarrhea, you can experience stomach cramps, vomiting and even headache.

The cause of this awful disease is a nasty bacteria called Vibrio Cholerae (hence the name Cholera). Cholera is mostly present in places with bad sanitation such as third-world countries.

3. Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a serious condition that goes hand in hand with dirty water (and also food). The cause is a nasty bacteria called Salmonella Typhi and millions of people are affected worldwide.

This disease has the ability to spread quickly in regions with poor sanitation and anyone who’s traveling to developing countries has to be very cautious about the water and food he or she consumes there.

That’s because the symptoms of typhoid fever are quite serious, including muscle weakness, high body temperature (fever), loss of appetite and awful stomach pain.

2. Escherichia Coli

While most kinds of Escherichia coli are not really dangerous (some are even healthy for your digestive system), some types of this bacteria strain could cause a lot of trouble.

The easiest way of getting this infection is through drinking contaminated water or consuming raw (or under-cooked) meat. This disease is not geo-specific and it should be noted that kids and elderly people have a greater chance of getting infected with this bacteria.

As for the symptoms – they range from not-so-serious ones like nausea to pain in the abdominal area and even diarrhea accompanied by blood, which would require medical
assistance.

1. Hepatitis A

This is a virus infection that targets the liver and it’s highly-contagious. Hepatitis A can be transmitted by water that’s been tainted by urine and feces, but it can also be transmitted through personal contact.

Hepatitis A is often synonymous with jaundice since this disease causes the skin and the whites of the eyes of those infected, to appear more yellow-ish. Needless to say, those in poorer regions have a bigger chance of getting Hepatitis A.

And the main symptom is impaired liver function that can even result in liver failure. Others include the already mentioned jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), lack of appetite, weakness,
fever and vomiting.

Conclusive Thoughts

Apparently, dirty water is a cocktail of awful diseases including various bacteria and viruses that can be quite dangerous. Inadequate sanitation and the lack of clean drinking water is the main culprit in developing countries, where waterborne disease run rampant.

And while diarrhea might not necessarily kill you (although it accounts for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year), dreadful conditions such as Hepatitis A can be much more lethal. That’s why proper sanitary conditions are a must in order to minimize the risks associated with drinking dirty water.

What’s your take on this subject though – have you ever caught any of these infections or do you know someone who did? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!