How to Manage Waterborne Diseases
micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. These diseases can be spread
while bathing, washing or drinking water. They are also spread through eating
food exposed to infected water.
like cholera, typhoid & dysentery.
diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration and kill within hours if left untreated.
water or food sources that have been contaminated by feces from a person
infected with cholera.
people living with HIV – are at a greater risk of death if infected.
noticeable 6-30 days after exposure. They include a feeling of weakness,
abdominal pain, constipation, and headaches.
by contaminated food or water. It is caused by the bacterium Shigella bacillus.
include bloody diarrhea, stomach aches, cramping, mucus in the faeces, watery
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Prompt medical care is required for
bloody diarrhea.
sanitation, like slums. People living in such deplorable conditions don’t
always get clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning or using the bathroom!
Dark drainage water runs through the narrow dirty paths
where children are often found running around playing. Many are the times these
children will bend down to poke around the contaminated water oblivious of the
danger lurking around!
that can be earned is like gold. Every penny counts! They don’t have all the
time in the world to keep checking on the little ones. But even if they did
have all the time, what could they possibly do to prevent contamination? Unless
they decide not to let their children go out to play with the others!
at the doors of the dilapidated houses.
sanitation and consumption of pure drinking water.
techniques have been employed in most industrialized nations, and this has greatly
eliminated waterborne diseases among its people.
water from the taps. And in case there are doubts about the purity of this
water, then other methods could be employed like installing an efficient filtration
system throughout the house. This system would filter all incoming water before
it comes out through the taps.
everyone, and it may be too costly for some households. A cheaper option would
be to purchase
a water distiller.
times there have been reports of unscrupulous people packaging unfiltered water
in branded bottles and selling to unsuspecting consumers! So it’s best to buy bottled
water only from trustworthy companies.
by boiling. This kills most if not all bacteria in the water. Make sure you
bring the water to a complete boil.
your teeth. You may assume that you’re only going to be brushing your teeth for
a few minutes, but that little time is enough to infect you with a waterborne-causing
microorganism.
maintained:
- Every household has a right to proper sanitation
& proper disposal of sewage. - All broken drainage systems need to fixed as
soon as they are noticed to prevent raw sewage running through open ground. - Always wash your hands with soap and clean water
after visiting the toilet, after changing a baby’s diaper, after attending to a
sick person, before preparing food and before eating. - Clean all kitchen utensils & surfaces with
clean water & soap. Disinfect your house every few weeks. - Discourage children from swimming or playing in dirty
pools, ponds or streams.
infected person seeks medical intervention quickly. Rapid access to treatment
is especially important in the case of a cholera outbreak.
health care provider. This solution is used throughout the world to treat
diarrhea. It is made up of sugar and salts mixed with water & drunk in
large amounts.
addition to the medication prescribed. This helps replace most of the fluid lost
due to diarrhea, a major symptom of waterborne diseases.