Water is one of the most essential resources available on earth. Clean water is needed for all purposes: drinking, cooking and bathing, etc. Due to the growing population in the country, not everyone has access to clean water. Every year, waterborne diseases affect millions of people, mainly those living in developing countries without safe, accessible water. Among the most common waterborne diseases in the world,  diarrhea  is the central symptom, you can get yourself checked for treatment  at Bansal Hospital in Bhopal  . The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of diseases worldwide are caused by water.

Thus, innumerable people in our country live in poor sanitation and unhygienic conditions. These unfavorable conditions give rise to water-borne diseases. In this blog, we will understand the most common water-borne diseases prevalent, their causes, symptoms, and treatment!

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What are water borne diseases?

Waterborne diseases are a group of conditions that are spread through contaminated water or food or fish containing dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. In simple terms, waterborne diseases are diseases caused by micro-organisms such as viruses and bacteria. Waterborne disorders are one of the most  common diseases  . According to the Planning Commission of India, 85% of India's population is surrounded by water infrastructure.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF reports, unhealthy living conditions and poor water quality are the main causes of waterborne disorders in India. According to the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence India,  the incidence of waterborne disorders such as typhoid , cholera, viral  hepatitis  and diarrhea has remained stable over the past decade. When you consider the extent of disease worldwide, it is estimated that more than 6% of the global disease burden is due to contaminated water, poor hygiene, especially handwashing in general. Only less than 1/5 of people follow proper handwashing procedures with cleanser and clean water.

More than 25% of people worldwide consume water contaminated with fecal bacteria. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are among the high-impact water contamination-prone regions of India.

Common causes of waterborne diseases

Waterborne diseases have many different causes, but they can generally be classified into two types:  contaminated water and contact with contaminated water:   

1. Contaminated water 

Contaminated water is the primary cause of diseases. This can happen when water is polluted by sewage, industrial waste, or agricultural runoff. It can also happen when natural sources of water, such as lakes and rivers, become polluted.

2. Coming in contact with contaminated water

This can happen when people come into contact with contaminated surface water, such as while swimming in a lake or river. It can also happen when people drink contaminated water or use it for cooking or cleaning.

Water borne diseases and their symptoms

Some of the most common water-borne diseases prevalent in India are:

1. Typhoid  

Typhoid fever is a  common infection prevalent  . This highly contagious disease spreads through the consumption of contaminated food and water. It spreads rapidly due to poor hygiene. Typhoid can cause serious health complications and can actually be fatal if not treated properly.

symptoms  

• High fever
• Tiredness
• Muscle pain
• Sweating
• loss of appetite
• Weight Loss
• Diarrhea or constipation

2. Cholera  

Another disease on the list of waterborne diseases is cholera, which is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera. Cholera is restricted to poverty-stricken areas and villages where poor sanitation is prevalent. Contaminated water spreads cholera and causes diarrhea and severe dehydration. While cholera can also be fatal, only 1 in 10 people develop life-threatening symptoms.

symptoms  

• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• nausea
• Vomit 
• Stomach ache
• Feeling more thirsty
• muscle cramps

3. Lamblia

Giardiasis is an example of a waterborne illness caused by a parasitic infection. A water-based pathogen called Giardia lamblia takes the fecal-oral route and causes contamination, and primarily affects the small intestine. Giardia lamblia is commonly found in animal and human feces. While ponds and aqueducts remain the major sources of infection, it is also found in swimming pools.

symptoms  

• Stomach ache
• Headache
• cramping and bloating
• Diarrhea
• Tiredness
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• Weight Loss

4. Hepatitis A

Being a subtype of hepatitis virus that spreads through contaminated water, hepatitis A is triggered by the consumption of contaminated water and food. This water-borne complaint causes jaundice and liver inflammation and temporarily affects liver function. However, this infection is not fatal and resolves on its own.

symptoms  

• Sudden fever
• Yellowing of the skin (due to jaundice)
• Tiredness
• Body pain
• light-colored stool
• yellow coloured urine
• Pain in the abdomen (near the liver)
• nausea and vomiting
• loss of appetite

5. Salmonella   

Most cases of salmonella are caused by consuming food or water contaminated with fish. Undercooked meat, egg products, fruits and vegetables can also spread the disease. Most people do not develop complications, but children,  pregnant women , older adults and people with weakened immunity are most at risk.

symptoms  

• blood in the feet
• Feeling cold
• Headache
• Diarrhea

5 Treatment of diseases caused by common water 

1. Prevention and treatment of typhoid  

The best way to avoid typhoid is to get vaccinated before traveling to a typhoid-prone area. To avoid this disease, you should consume home-cooked food and filtered water. However, if someone is sick with typhoid, it can be treated with antibiotics.

2. Prevention and treatment of cholera

If you frequently visit cholera-affected areas, you should be aware of preventive measures. Wash your hands with soap. Eat hot and thoroughly cooked food. However, if you want to eat salads, choose fruits and vegetables that you can wash and peel. Drink water only if you know its source.

3. Prevention and treatment of giardiasis

To prevent giardiasis, avoid swallowing pool water while swimming. Drink only bottled water. For its treatment, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics and anti-parasitic drugs, as there is no vaccine for this infection.

4. Prevention and treatment of hepatitis A

You can get vaccinated to prevent hepatitis A. Avoid eating food at room temperature and consume warm foods. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or eggs; and stay away from street food. 

5. Prevention and treatment of Salmonella

When preparing your own food, make sure it is cooked thoroughly and stored in the freezer within 30 minutes of use. Avoid touching birds or reptiles, and as always, wash your hands frequently. Salmonella infection dehydrates the body. Treat it by drinking more fluids and electrolytes. More severe infections may require hospitalization and antibiotics.

Precautions to avoid water borne diseases

• Make sure the water is visibly clean and free of any contaminants. Filter the water to remove visible dirt.
• Drink only clean and safe water – either portable water or water filtered through a water cleanser.
• Get water purification equipment like filters, RO units, etc. serviced regularly. Ensure that stored water is bacteria-free.
• Add an antiseptic liquid like Dettol to bath water that looks suspicious.
• Use disposable glasses and plates whenever possible when eating out, especially street food.
• Avoid eating stale cooked food, unrefrigerated food kept outside for a long time.
•  Get vaccinated to protect yourself from preventable diseases like   typhoid, hepatitis A,  polio , etc.

conclusion 

Waterborne diseases are a huge problem in developing countries. Millions of people die from waterborne diseases every year. But, there are ways to prevent these diseases. By investing in clean water and sanitation facilities, we can reduce the number of waterborne diseases to a great extent. Also, education is important in preventing these diseases. By educating people about health and proper hygiene practices, we can help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

FAQ

1. What preventive measures can be taken to avoid water borne diseases?

You can take preventive measures to protect yourself. The most common preventive measures include washing hands with soap regularly, drinking clean and treated water, consuming warm food, properly cleaning washrooms and toilets, eating in good and clean restaurants and avoiding swimming pool water in the mouth.

2. What is the most common cause of waterborne illness?

Waterborne illness is primarily caused by contaminated drinking water. Many waterborne pathogens can also be transmitted by consuming contaminated food or beverages, by contact with animals or their environment, by person-to-person spread, or by breathing in contaminated air.

3. How can we prevent water borne diseases?

Frequent and careful handwashing is important among all age groups. Children should wash their hands frequently. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, rub hands together vigorously, and clean all surfaces.