Consumption of untreated water, also known as raw water, can cause symptoms and certain diseases, such as leptospirosis, cholera, hepatitis A and giardiasis, for example, being more common 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 public health problem.
These diseases occur because some microorganisms can easily grow in water and, although this is easier in contaminated rivers and lakes, crystalline spring water can also be contaminated with certain types of bacteria, parasites or viruses. In addition, these diseases occur when water is not subjected to cleansing and purification treatments that eliminate microorganisms that contaminate water, especially those responsible for disease.
- Therefore.
- It is important for the person to pay attention to the water he consumes both for drinking and to clean and prepare food and.
- If there is any doubt about the suitability of the water.
- A solution of sodium hypochlorite can be used.
- For example.
Although diverse, some of the major diseases that can be caused by stagnant water or untreated wastewater include:
Hepatitis A is a disease caused by the Picornavirus family virus that can be transmitted through contact with water contaminated with the virus. This disease is highly contagious, is characterized by inflammation of the liver and, although usually benign, in some cases it can develop severely and be fatal if left untreated.
Main symptoms: Hepatitis A symptoms usually appear about 4 weeks after contamination of the virus, being the main indicator of hepatitis A dark urine, light stools, yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, fever, chills, feeling weak, nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue.
How treatment is performed: Treatment of hepatitis A aims to relieve symptoms of the disease and the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory painkillers may be indicated. In addition, your doctor should recommend resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Learn what to do to recover faster from hepatitis A.
Giardiasis is an infection of the digestive system caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, which is transmitted by the consumption of food or water contaminated with faeces containing parasite cysts, being an infectious disease that can be transmitted among people.
Main symptoms: The main symptoms that indicate giardiasis are abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, weakness and weight loss.
How treatment is performed: 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 may be necessary directly in the vein.
Amobian amoebic amoebic amoebic amoebic amoebic amoebian amoebian amoebian amoeba is an infection caused by the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica, which is installed in the gut and prevents the absorption of nutrients important to the body. It is transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated with faeces containing mature amebian cysts. Learn more about this disease in what amebiasis is.
Main symptoms: Usually, the main symptoms of amebiasis are abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and chills, as well as bloody or mucous stools in some cases. In more severe cases, the disease can develop invasively, in which other organs such as the liver, airways and even the brain are infected.
How treatment is performed: In general, antiparasitic remedies such as secnidazole, metronidazole or tinidazole are used to combat amebiasis, however, the duration and dose are guided by the doctor depending on the severity of the infection.
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a bacteria in the urine of sewer rats or other infected animals such as dogs and cats, which enters the body through contact with the faeces of these animals or water contaminated with injured skin or mucous membranes, such as the eyes. Nose.
Main symptoms: The main symptoms of leptospirosis are high fever, headache, body pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and chills.
How treatment is performed: Treatment of leptospirosis should be guided by the doctor, with the use of antibiotics to fight bacteria and analgesics to relieve pain and fever. Learn more about what it is and how to prevent leptospirosis.
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 onset of symptoms, and it is important that the identification of this bacteria is done as soon as possible to avoid complications, such as severe dehydration.
Main symptoms: Cholera symptoms appear 2 to 5 days after infection with the bacteria and there is mainly severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to severe dehydration.
How treatment is performed: The main objective of cholera treatment is to avoid dehydration, so it is recommended to practice oral hydration and, in the most severe cases, directly in the vein, hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics may also be necessary.
Learn more about cholera
Ascariosis is a verminosis caused by the parasite Ascaris lumbricoides, also called ascaris, which inhabits, develops and multiplies in the intestine. This disease is transmitted by ingesting water or food contaminated with the parasite’s eggs.
Main symptoms: The main symptoms of ascaridiasis are abdominal pain, nausea, difficulty ventilating and loss of appetite.
Como é o Tratamento: O tratamento é feito com o uso de medicamentos antiparasitários indicados pelo médico, como Albendazol, que deve ser feita conforme a orientação médica.
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi, and its transmission is through the consumption of food and water contaminated with the parasite.
Main symptoms: high fever, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss or red spots on the skin may indicate typhoid fever. Understand what typhoid fever is and how to identify symptoms.
To protect and prevent these diseases, contact with wastewater, contaminated or untreated water, flooding, mud or rivers with standing water should be avoided, and the use of untreated chlorine pools is also not recommended.
To ensure your safety, it is advisable to always boil the water before use, either to wash or prepare food or to drink it, if it is not filtered. In addition, you can also choose to use sodium hypochlorite to disinfect and purify water.
It may be suspected that the water is contaminated, and therefore unfit for consumption, when it has certain characteristics such as:
In addition, water can also appear clean and still contaminated, so it is always better to opt for filtered water or bottled mineral water, which has undergone quality testing.
In case of contact with oil or water contaminated with this substance, it is important to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and be aware of any respiratory or skin changes that may be related to this exposure, it is important to go to the clinic or hospital if symptoms occur. Depending on the signs and symptoms present by the person, the family doctor may recommend the use of corticosteroids and hydration.
Although in most cases diseases transmitted by contaminated water are related to the presence of microorganisms, it is also possible to acquire signs and symptoms of disease in contact with the oil that may be present in the water, these clinical manifestations being the result of the reaction. chemicals contained in this substance or due to inhalation of petroleum vapors. In addition, prolonged exposure can promote 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 protection, some signs and symptoms may appear, such as burns to the eyes, itching and red skin sores or spots, headache, nausea, vomiting and respiratory disturbances. . , such as breathing difficulties, for example.
Therefore, to avoid the onset of symptoms and the risk of developing diseases, it is important to use personal protective equipment before coming into contact with the oil, such as disposable mask, glasses, gloves and rubber boots or flip flops. In addition, it is recommended to wear waterproof clothing that covers legs and arms.
For contaminated water to be safe to drink, a solution called sodium hypochlorite, which is purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets but is also distributed by the government, must be used. Simply deposit 2 to 4 drops of sodium hypochlorite for 1 liter of water and wait 30 minutes to consume this water. See more details about sodium hypochlorite.
Boiling water for 1 minute also helps purify water, but this does not solve the problem and therefore does not exclude the use of hypochlorite. In addition, in case of mercury contamination, water should not be boiled because mercury can pass through the air, increasing the risk of contamination.
These strategies are particularly suitable for purifying water contaminated with viruses, bacteria and fecal coliforms, which can occur in cistern water, artesian wells, small wells and in case of rainwater contamination. However, in case of flooding, the best strategy is not to use dirty and muddy water because mud is harder to remove.
Mud-contaminated water can be used through a process called sedimentation, which usually occurs in the city’s water treatment companies. A coagulant that can be used to remove sludge from water is the black acacia polymer, an organic product that does not harm health. This substance can separate water from the sludge, but after this process, the water still needs to be treated properly.
Discover all the home methods to purify the water at home.