Use water from safe sources to avoid waterborne diseases
diseases, the most common symptom of which is diarrhoea, have been on the rise affecting many people, especially those living without access to safe or drinkable water.
In recent weeks, hundreds of people in bulawayo have been treated for diarrhoea that is suspected to have been caused by lack of clean water due to council water shedding and failure to adequately manage sewer reticulation systems.
Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by microscopic organisms such as viruses and bacteria that are ingested through contaminated water or by coming in contact with faeces.
Types of waterborne diseases:
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid fever is spread through contaminated food, unsafe water and poor sanitation. It is highly contagious.
Symptoms include a fever that increases gradually, muscle aches, fatigue, sweating, diarrhoea or constipation.
To prevent typhoid, vaccination against it is recommended for people travelling in areas where poor sanitation and unsafe water are common.
refrain from drinking water that is not bottled and sealed and from eating food that might not have been prepared hygienically such as food cooked by the roadside by street vendors. If you do get typhoid, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Cholera
Cholera is commonly found in areas where poverty and poor sanitation are rampant. The disease is spread through contaminated water. It causes severe dehydration and diarrhoea.
Cholera can be fatal within days or even hours of exposure to the bacteria but only one in 10 people is likely to develop life-threatening symptoms. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle cramps.
Cholera can be prevented by washing your hands often, ensuring food is well cooked and hot and only eating raw fruit that you can peel yourself such as avocados, bananas and oranges.
Dysentery
Dysentery causes intestinal infection. Symptoms include severe diarrhoea and blood or mucus in your stool. Preventing dysentery is a good reason to frequently wash your hands as the disease is spread mainly through poor hygiene.
It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites in unsafe food and water and by people coming in contact with faecal matter.
The life of someone with dysentery who cannot replace fluids quickly enough could be at risk. Symptoms include stomach cramps and pain, diarrhoea, fever, nausea, vomiting and dehydration.
To prevent dysentery, wash your hands with soap frequently. Order drinks without ice. Do not buy food from street vendors. Only eat fruits you can peel. Drink only sealed, bottled water in places with a higher dysentery risk such as communities where proper hygiene practices are uncommon.
Mild dysentery usually clears up with rest and fluids. Overthe-counter medication can help with stomach cramping. More severe cases can be treated with antibiotics, although some strains of the disease are resistant to them.
Escherichia Coli (E. coli)
There are various strains of E. coli bacteria, some harmful and some beneficial. E. coli bacteria are important, for instance, for a healthy intestinal tract.
However, if animal waste has found its way into farmland where produce is grown or if strains of E. coli are spread through the process of making, for example, minced meat, those who consume infected food could experience symptoms.
The bacteria are found in unsafe water sources where people and cattle use the same water source.
Symptoms of dangerous strains of E. coli are similar to those of dysentery and other waterborne diseases. Most bouts of E. coli pass within a week but older people and young children have a greater chance of developing lifethreatening symptoms.
If you have been exposed to contaminated food or water and your diarrhoea contains blood, you should contact a doctor.
As with most waterborne diseases, to prevent getting E. coli avoid water that could be contaminated by human and/or animal faeces from sources such as ponds, rivers and swamps. If you are going to eat minced meat, cook it thoroughly. Wash fruits and vegetables well. Wash hands often and drink only safe water.
To treat the disease, drink plenty of safe water, rest and take over-the-counter medicine for diarrhoea.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by consuming contaminated food and water or by coming in close contact with someone who has the infection. People who work in rural communities with poor sanitation and hygiene management are most exposed to the disease.
Symptoms include fatigue, clay-coloured bowel movements, jaundice, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, esWATErbOrnE pecially near your liver, loss of appetite and sudden fever. The infection usually goes away in a few weeks but it can become severe and last several months.
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is vaccination. Eat only food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot. Avoid eating room temperature food. Only eat fruit that you can peel and have peeled yourself. Do not eat runny eggs, raw or rare meat or food from street vendors.
If you have hepatitis A, you will build up an immunity and are unlikely to have it again.
However, the symptoms are serious, often forcing you to take time off work or school to recover.
If you have contracted hepatitis A, rest, avoid drinking alcohol and drink plenty of fluids. The disease will run its course. Full recovery is expected after three months.
Salmonella
Most cases of salmonella come from ingesting food or water contaminated with faeces. Undercooked meat, egg products, fruit and vegetables can carry the disease.
People who have salmonella do not generally develop complications. Children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Symptoms include blood in the stool, chills, headache and diarrhoea.
When preparing your own food, make sure you cook it thoroughly. Store or freeze within 30 minutes. You should avoid touching birds or reptiles and always wash your hands frequently.
Salmonella infection dehydrates the body. Treat it by drinking fluids and electrolytes. More serious infections may require hospitalisation and antibiotics.
Giardia
This waterborne disease is passed on through contaminated water, most often in ponds and streams though it can also be found in many other places including a town’s water supply and even swimming pools. The infection is caused by a parasite.
It typically clears up after a few weeks. However, it is possible for those who have been exposed to it to experience intestinal problems for years to come. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramps and bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and weight loss.
While there is no vaccine for giardia, there are simple ways to avoid the infection. Wash your hands with soap often. Do not swallow water while swimming and drink only bottled water.
With time, your immune system will typically beat giardia on its own but, if symptoms worsen, your doctor may prescribe anti-parasite and antibiotic medication.
The information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas igo wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. it is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. — igo@cimas.co.zw or whatsapp 0772 161 829 or phone 024-2773 0663