How to prevent waterborne diseases? Before exploring the answer to this, one must know what actually are waterborne diseases.
Water – an essential element in our daily life can also be a source of harmful diseases. Drinking 8 glasses of water is essential for humans, but drinking clean and pure drinking water is even more essential. It is a fact that sometimes water carries, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens and parasites that cause illness.
So let us explore this in detail!
What are Waterborne Diseases?
Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by harmful microorganisms present in contaminated water. As we have highlighted above contaminated water contains a variety of pathogens, protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. These microorganisms can infect individuals when they consume or come into contact with such water including cooking and bathing. If overlooked, it can cause serious health issues
How to Prevent Waterborne Diseases?
Now the main topic, is how to prevent these waterborne diseases. Let’s have a look at this:
Here, the answer seems to be simple, by avoiding contaminated water because waterborne diseases spread through contaminated water.
However, they can be prevented with proper precautions as highlighted below:
Boil Water Before Drinking:
Boiling water is one of the safest ways to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute makes it safe to drink. This method is especially important during floods, water shortages, or when the quality of drinking water is uncertain. Some experts recommend water must be boiled at home because the purest form of water is boiled water.
Use Water Filters at Home:
Water filters help remove impurities, bacteria, and harmful chemicals from drinking water. Different types of filters, such as activated carbon, ceramic, and reverse osmosis, can make water safer. Using a reliable filter removes harmful microorganisms thus preventing them from entering the body through drinking water.
Use Mineral Water:
In order to prevent water borne diseases, it is essential that the water is clean and pure. Mineral water is a great source of essential minerals that not only help to keep the body hydrated but also help build immunity. Distillation of minerals in water makes water healthier. Thus, choosing quality bottled water becomes essential.
Store Water Properly:
Water should always be stored in clean and covered containers. Uncovered water can become contaminated with dust, insects, or bacteria. Using a clean container with a tight lid prevents impurities from entering and keeps the water safe for drinking.
Add a Small Piece of Potash Alum in Water Tanks:
Potash alum is commonly used to purify water. This is an ancient method which is not used nowadays. In many Asian countries, this method is still implemented to purify the water stored in tanks and containers.
Adding a small piece of alum to water tanks settles down its impurities, making the water clearer and safer to use. This is an inexpensive and effective way to improve water quality, especially in areas where filtration systems are not available.
Practice Good Hygiene:
Good hygiene is essential to prevent waterborne diseases. Poor hygiene and improper bathing and cleaning lead to several health issues.
Washing hands with soap and clean water before eating, after using the toilet, and after handling raw food helps reduce the risk of infection.
This is not all, we all studied that a person should always look neat and tidy and thus he should also trim his nails and clean them thoroughly daily. Keeping fingernails clean and maintaining overall body hygiene also prevents the spread of germs and diseases.
Maintain Proper Food Safety:
Food can also become contaminated with waterborne pathogens if not handled properly. Washing fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating, cooking meat and seafood thoroughly, and avoiding raw or unpasteurized dairy products help in preventing infections. Food should be stored in clean containers and kept at safe temperatures to prevent spoilage.
Improve Home Sanitation & Waste Disposal:
Proper waste disposal and sanitation systems prevent water contamination. Human and household waste should be disposed of in a sanitary manner to avoid polluting water sources. Stagnant water, open drains, and uncovered garbage bins can attract harmful bacteria and insects, increasing the risk of diseases. This is why it is a must for everyone to keep their surroundings clean this can help prevent the spread of infections.
Avoid Swimming in Public Pools During Hot Weather:
During hot weather, public pools are used by many people. This increases the risk of infections and the spread of deadly viruses. Contaminated water in pools can carry bacteria and viruses that cause stomach, skin, and eye infections.
This is why, it is best to avoid overcrowded pools as this will also reduce exposure to harmful microorganisms.
Stay Away from Polluted Water Sources:
Lakes, ponds, and rivers can contain harmful bacteria, sewage, and industrial waste. Using or drinking water from such sources can cause severe infections. It is important to avoid direct contact with polluted water and always rely on treated water for drinking and cooking.
Swim in Treated Pools:
Swimming in pools that are regularly cleaned and treated with chlorine is safer than using untreated water bodies. We often come across the news of Naegleria virus attacks during the summers. This happens when people go to untreated pools for swimming.
Always visit the pools that are treated well with chlorine because chlorine helps kill bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of infections. Always check the cleanliness of the pool before swimming.
Take Extra Precautions During Emergencies:
Floods, heavy rains, and natural disasters increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Contaminated flood water may contain sewage, chemicals, and bacteria. During such times, water should be boiled, filtered, or disinfected before drinking. Storing an emergency supply of clean water can also help in such situations.
Avoid Eating Snow:
Snow may look clean, but it can contain harmful pollutants and bacteria. We have often seen people eating snow thinking it is clean. However, the fact is that some people melted the snow on heat and realized that the snow is not clean. Air pollution, dirt, and other contaminants settle on the snow and make it unsafe to consume. It is always better to drink properly purified water rather than rely on snow for hydration.
Get Vaccinated:
Vaccinate yourself against harmful diseases. Vaccination is an effective way to prevent certain waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. If you live in or plan to travel to areas where these diseases are common, getting vaccinated provides additional protection against infections.
What are the Major waterborne diseases?
The major waterborne diseases are:
- Cholera
- Caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria
- Symptoms are severe diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, weakness
- Typhoid Fever
- Caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria
- Symptoms include high fever, weakness, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, headache
- Dysentery
- Causes are Shigella bacteria or Entamoeba histolytica parasite (Amoebic Dysentery)
- Symptoms are severe diarrhea with blood or mucus, stomach cramps, fever
- Hepatitis A
- Caused by Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
- Symptoms include Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, dark urine
- Giardiasis
- Caused by Giardia lamblia parasite
- Signs are diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, weight loss
- Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto)
- Caused by Cryptosporidium parasite
- Symptoms are watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, weight loss
- Poliomyelitis (Polio)
- Caused by Poliovirus
- Symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle weakness, and paralysis in severe case.
- Leptospirosis
- Leptospira bacteria cause this disease
- Symptoms high fever, muscle pain, chills, nausea, and liver damage in severe cases
- Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)
- Cause by Dracunculus medinensis parasite
- Signs are painful blisters, fever, swelling in affected areas
- Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)
- Caused by Schistosoma parasite
- Symptoms are skin rash, fever, chills, organ damage in severe cases
What Types of Water Cause Waterborne Diseases?
Waterborne diseases arise from using water contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Microorganisms cannot be witnessed with the naked eye, this is the reason people often consume infected water taking it as clean.
Contamination can occur in various water sources like:
- Surface water which includes rivers, lakes, and ponds. These sources of water can be polluted by sewage, animal waste, or agricultural runoff, introducing pathogens.
- Groundwater of wells and springs can also be contaminated if located near pollution sources like septic tanks or agricultural fields.
- Recreational areas swimming pools and water parks can harbor pathogens if not properly treated and maintained.
- Water stored in containers can become contaminated if not covered or cleaned regularly, allowing pathogens to proliferate.
Waterborne diseases pose a serious threat to health, especially in areas where clean water and proper sanitation are lacking. Contaminated water carries severe illnesses. This is why in this blog we have thoroughly highlighted how to prevent waterborne diseases.
However, by taking preventive measures, the risk of these diseases can be significantly reduced.
Safe water is essential for a healthy life. Simple actions highlighted above can prevent waterborne diseases and ensure better health for ourselves and our communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are there vaccines available for waterborne diseases?
Yes, not for all but for a few waterborne diseases there are vaccines available for protection against such illnesses. Vaccines exist for typhoid fever and hepatitis A, Rota Virus infection, and poliomyelitis. You can also consult with a healthcare provider to know more.
Who is most at risk for waterborne diseases?
Anyone can contract a waterborne disease but certain age groups are more vulnerable, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Is boiling water effective in making it safe to drink?
Yes, boiling water is one of the most effective methods to kill harmful microorganisms. Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute ensures that most pathogens are eliminated.
Recent Comments