9/10/2024

Waterborne diseases affect millions of people all around the year, especially those who live in places with no access to clean water. These diseases can be mild, chronic, or even fatal in some cases. What are Waterborne Diseases? Waterborne diseases are contaminated water diseases that are caused by dirty water or water that contains harmful bacteria and microorganisms. These usually spread through consumption of water, or washing with contaminated water, and can have a harmful effect on health. Some waterborne diseases may even lead to death or disabilities. Nature of diseases spread by water. The pathogenic microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, etc. can cause a multitude of diseases. like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis, worm infections, and so on which can be life-threatening, especially to those with low immunity. Causes of Waterborne Diseases Waterborne diseases are usually caused by pathogenic microbes that enter our body through: Drinking contaminated water Improper sanitation of washrooms Washing with contaminated water Eating contaminated food Coming into contact with animals Spread through another person Investing in a good water purifier with multifiltration technology is important to purify the contaminated water, free it from harmful chemicals and substances, and make water safe to drink or use. Types of Waterborne Diseases There are multiple types of water borne diseases, such as: Typhoid: This is one of the most common waterborne disease spread by contaminated food, unsafe water, poor sanitation, etc., and is said to be extremely contagious. Its symptoms include a high fever, muscle aches, diarrhea or constipation, etc. Cholera: This is another common waterborne disease that is spread by contaminated water. It leads to dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can also be fatal. Giardia: This disease spreads through contaminated water from ponds and streams. Caused by a parasite, it can lead to abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and even weight loss. Dysentery: This is an intestinal infection that leads to severe diarrhea and blood and mucus. It’s mainly spread because of poor hygiene and consuming street foods. Hepatitis A: This is a liver infection that is caused by eating contaminated food or water, and also by coming in contact with a person who has the disease. It causes fatigue, clay-coloured bowel movements, jaundice, liver pain, etc. Prevention of Waterborne Diseases A waterborne disease can be threatening, but it can be prevented in the following ways: Vaccinations and antibiotics Washing hands with soap Eating cooked foods Drinking water from water purifiers Drinking enough fluids PracticingPractising better hygiene habits Avoiding street food Avoiding direct contact with an infected person or an animal Contaminated Water and Its Health Impacts Contaminated water can cause cause many effects on health, like gastrointestinal illnesses, nervous system, reproduction, as well as chronic diseases like cancer. Chemical contamination: This leads to both short-term and long-term health effects like skin discoloration, nervous system damage, or even cancer. Disease-causing microbes: Microbes like typhoid or cholera can cause symptoms like stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, and may even lead to kidney failure or infectious diseases like hepatitis. How to Prevent Waterborne Diseases at Home and in the Community Waterborne diseases can be caused by using tap water at homes and consuming contaminated water. However, the following ways may prevent it: Getting a good quality water purifier: By getting a water purifier with multistage filtration technology like RO, UV, or UF, advanced purification stages, sediments filters, etc. Engaging in proper sanitation: Wash your hands with soap and water before eating, and after using the bathroom or any dirty surface. Wash your faucets or showerheads: In order to do that properly, run cold water for 2 minutes, then hot water. Clean all water-running devices: Cleaning everything that uses water like taps, showerheads, water heaters, water filters, etc. can help in ensuring you get water free of contaminants. Boil water: To kill pathogens, it’s important to boil water for a few minutes to make it safe for drinking, cooking, brushing, etc. Similarly, there are ways to prevent getting waterborne diseases in the community like: Avoid street food: Street food can be contaminated with chemicals and pathogens especially during the rains, and it’s better to avoid it to ensure health. Avoid swimming in polluted water: Swimming pools, lakes, and rivers might be contaminated with sewage or industrial waste, especially during rainfalls. Use sanitary facilities: Use proper sanitation facilities including use of washrooms, sewage systems, sanitary napkins, etc. to reduce risk of getting infected. Current Challenges and Future Directions in Preventing Waterborne Diseases There are certain challenges when it comes to preventing waterborne diseases effectively, such as: Lack of proper drinking water facility Poor management of drainage system Pathogen transfer from natural water sources like groundwater Lack of safe water, especially during flood or drought Lack of awareness among people about safe water In future, waterborne diseases can be prevented by: Implementing water treatment facilities like ultrafiltration or RO Promoting hygiene education in schools and communities Building proper sanitation infrastructure Researching new methods for water purification and disease prevention. How can we prevent water-related diseases? By practicing good hygiene, indulging in practices that make the environment clean and safe, washing raw vegetables before eating, and using water purifiers for drinking water, we can prevent water-related diseases like diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal diseases. What are the most effective methods to treat water at home? To treat water at home and make it safe for consumption and use, here is what you can do: Boil water to make it free of contaminants Use a good water purifier with multi-stage filtration techniques Use purifiers with purification technologies like ultrafiltration Use clay pots as they can block muddy particles from the water Oxidise water by mixing mild bleach in water Conclusion Waterborne diseases can be risky, and preventing it might get challenging during extreme weather conditions like rainfall. But by indulging in proper hygiene practices, and understanding how to prevent diseases caused by drinking unclean water, you can ensure effective safety from such diseases.