Water Borne Diseases

Water Borne Diseases
Water borne diseases are caused by drinking water which is contaminated. The main causes of contamination are human and animal waste as well as disease-causing microorganisms. These diseases can easily be treated in case they are diagnosed early enough. One should go for regular check-ups in case they are often exposed to contaminated drinking water.

Some water-borne diseases like cholera are known to have existed for a very long time. Others are very new and few people have heard or suffered from them. In the case of new diseases, it is important that diagnosis be carried out first before treatment can be done.

Water borne diseases outbreaks occur when there is a lot of contaminated water in the wrong places. It is important for one to understand the ecology of water-borne diseases in order to understand their transmission, cure and prevention measures.

The situation in developing countries is worth mentioning when it comes to water-borne diseases. Four fifths of all diseases that are reported in these countries are water-borne. In fact, diarrhea is the single leading cause of death among children in these countries.

The main reason why people suffer from these diseases is lack of clean, reliable water for drinking and cooking. Poor sanitation is a problem to 1.1 billion people in the world, who have no access to reliable water supply.

It is also important for people all over the world to understand how water-borne diseases are transmitted. In case the problem of water-borne diseases is to be overcome, pollution of water systems must be prevented at all costs. Drinking water must be kept clean all the time. Infected people must be taken care of in a hygienic manner in order to prevent transmission to a wide section of the population.

When septic tanks burst, it can cause a catastrophe, and a large section of the neighboring population might end up getting infected. This is why sewer treatment plants should be located away from residential areas. Manufacturing plants that throw waste into rivers are a major cause of water-borne diseases.

Outbreaks of water-borne diseases can be very dynamic. You always have to be vigilant especially if you live in an area where typhoid and cholera outbreaks are frequently reported. You should refrain from buying food that has been cooked in unhygienic conditions. It takes little effort to ensure that the water that you are drinking is clean and free from any disease-causing microorganisms. If you suspect to have been infected, it is good to go for a medical examination.