Water contamination is one of the leading causes of poor health conditions of people. Large amounts of waste are produced every day and released into the water. The waste released by industries leads to contamination of water bodies by chemicals and microbes. Click here to learn more about water contamination and its detection.
The accumulation of sewage waste in water bodies leads to several severe diseases that affect everyone. A significant amount of the population lacks access to pure drinking water and suitable water for crop cultivation. Consumption of unsafe water results in the following diseases
Bacterial diseases
When drinking water gets contaminated by feces or waste matter, treatment procedures are insufficient for cleaning it. The water causes bacterial diseases in its consumers. Some of the most prevalent bacterial diseases are as follows:
- Cholera
This illness impacts the digestive tract and causes severe dehydration among patients and renal failure in severe instances. Some cases result in deaths as well.
- Diarrhea
The common symptoms of this illness include pain in the abdominal area, fever, nausea, and persistent headaches. It results in premature deaths among vulnerable patients.
- Salmonellosis
This illness causes inflammation of the intestinal tract among patients. Failure in the timely treatment of salmonella can have fatal outcomes.
- Shigellosis
This illness also affects the digestive tract. It causes harm to the lining of the intestine and leads to stomach cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea among patients.
Viral diseases
Contaminated water bodies act as the most suitable breeding ground for the growth of viruses. Consuming water with viruses present in it can result in the following disease:
- Hepatitis
Common symptoms of hepatitis A include lack of appetite, discomfort, excess weight, fever, and jaundice. Extremely severe cases of hepatitis lead to premature deaths as well.
- Encephalitis
This illness is spread by the culex mosquito that breeds in contaminated water. This disease does not have any noticeable symptoms but can lead to coma and paralysis among patients.
- Polio
In extreme cases, poliomyelitis or polio leads to constipation, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and an unconscious state.
- Gastroenteritis
This illness results in persistent headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If you also result in death and infants and children of young age.
Parasitic diseases
Parasites spread these illnesses with the help of contaminated water. Some of the most prevalent parasitic diseases are as follows:
- Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidium parasites spread this. Its symptoms include cramps in the stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Giardiasis
It is also referred to as the traveler’s disease. Its symptoms include bloating, loss of weight, flatulence, diarrhea, etc.