Water borne disease is an illness that results from the consumption of water that is contaminated with pathogens. These diseases are very fatal to the lives of people in the entire world and have a greater impact on the third-world countries that hardly have access to clean water and good sanitation. In this article, we will learn about water borne disease, its causes and signs, and how to protect oneself from the disease.
What are Water borne Diseases?
A water borne disease is an illness that results from the consumption of water that has been contaminated with pathogens. Water sources are contaminated with pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These microorganisms are present in domestic sewage, animal waste, industrial effluent, and agricultural drainage. This leads to water pollution and may cause an outbreak of the disease in the developing world, where there are few water treatment plants.
Symptoms of Waterborne Diseases
A water borne disease is a condition that is caused by drinking water that is contaminated with pathogens. Water sources are contaminated by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They are found in domestic sewage, animal effluent, industrial effluent, and agricultural drainage. This results in water pollution and hence may result in a wide spread of water borne disease in the third world where there are hardly any water treatment facilities. Some of the common symptoms are:
- Pain and cramps in the area of the abdomen
- Sudden onset of diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
A water borne disease can therefore play a part in affecting a person’s health in the long run. It can lead to health complications and, sometimes, be fatal as well. This illness is mainly prevalent in children, the elderly, and other people who may have compromised immunity.
Causes of Water Borne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are rampant in the third world or developing countries due to a number of factors. The causes of water borne diseases include contaminated water sources, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, and natural disasters.
Contaminated Water Sources:
Water borne diseases are contracted due to drinking water that has been obtained from contaminated sources. Some of the ways pathogens can get into water supplies include sewage discharge, water from agriculture, the industrial discharge.
Poor Sanitation and Hygiene:
A water borne disease is easy to contract in areas of poor or no sanitation and hygiene. This includes the disposal of human and animal wastes, which pollute water and the environment in the process.
Natural Disasters:
Availability of good quality water is disrupted because of floods, hurricanes, and other calamities, and hence water borne diseases are common in disaster-prone regions.
Prevention of Water Borne Diseases
People with a weak immune system are likely to be affected by water borne diseases. They can, on some occasions, cause deaths and turn fatal. These diseases should be prevented with the assistance of public health as well as individual practices. Some of the prevention of water borne diseases include:
Access to Clean Water:
Water borne disease can therefore be prevented by making sure that a given individual drinks clean water. This can be done through the treatment of water by the treatment facilities, filtration of water, and checking on the quality of water very often.
Proper Sanitation:
Sewage has the potential to pollute freshwater sources, and hence sewage treatment plants should be used. This ranges from encouraging the adoption of latrines to proper ways of disposing of waste.
Hygiene Practices:
Water borne infections can be avoided by promoting proper personal hygiene habits like washing hands with soap and using clean water. Other strategies that can assist in preventing these infections include increasing community awareness, and public health education, as these strategies make society members more aware of how they are prevented through personal and communal hygiene.
Education and Awareness:
Water borne disease can also be prevented by educating communities and raising awareness about the dangers of these infections and safe water practices. This includes educating them on the handling and storage of water, along with identifying symptoms of waterborne illnesses.
Cure and Treatment of Waterborne Diseases
Due to the fatality associated with water borne diseases in some cases, it is necessary to seek timely treatment to cure the illness. While the treatment of water borne disease depends on the type of microorganism that has contaminated the water, some common approaches include:
- Rehydration: It is advisable to rehydrate more especially in severe diarrhoea and vomiting cases. ORS is used to replenish the fluids and electrolyte deficits that occur commonly in diarrhoea.
- Medications: The doctor may prescribe medications for the infections that are causing the illness. One must stick to the prescribed course of treatment for a speedy recovery.
- Supportive Care: If individuals with waterborne disease receive proper care and necessary medications, they can have a speedy recovery.
- Medical Attention: Medical attention is required especially for the high-risk group or those with severe cases. The nature and complications of the diseases can be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
While it can be agreed that water related diseases are a major concern in today’s society, several measures can be taken to prevent the disease. Learning about water borne diseases causes and prevention can minimise occurrences. Numerous practices can be undertaken by communities and individuals to reduce the impact of these diseases.
