Over 5 million people globally die annually due to the use of contaminated water. Health complications linked to water pollution kills. Significant quantities of water are contaminated by pollutant from various sources such as agriculture, energy production, industries etc. Here are 10 diseases or health complications related to water pollution.
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Cholera Infection
Cholera is mainly a infectious disease occurring due to waterborne related aspects. It is majorly found where the level of hygiene and sanitation are poor. It can be transferred through using unsafe water, washing or consuming food washed with affected water. Signs associated with this disease include nausea, diarrhea, headache, vomiting and muscle cramps. It is always desirable to take clean treated water and maintain a high level of hygiene.
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Diarrhea
Diarrhea is one of the diseases that originated through water-borne bacteria, viruses or protozoans. It results mainly due to water pollution conditions. It is a fatal disease that can result in dehydration and death especially in young children. The main manifestation is persistent and watery bowel movements.
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Typhoid Fever
Typhoid is still a pressing health concern in the majority of developing countries. An estimate of 20 million populations globally suffers from this infection annually. The disease is highly contagious, and it spread through contaminated food, water and poor sanitation. Salmonella typhosa bacterial is commonly responsible for the occurrence of this illness.
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Hookworms
Hookworms affect about one-fifth of the world population and mainly occur in tropical regions. It transmits via drinking infected water or eating food washed with unsafe water. The first symptoms are itching as well as rashes at the site where the larvae penetrate the skin. It can lead to difficulty breathing or irregular heartbeat and majorly known to be severe especially in infants.
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Amoebiasis
Although rare in high hygiene conditions, Amoebiasis infection is most common in tropical regions with untreated water. One suffers the disease by drinking or eating fruits that may be washed using contaminated water. Amoebiasis indications involve mild or severe cramping as well as diarrhea which may be bloody. The infection mainly affects the colon and also liver infestation.
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Hepatitis A
It is an extremely transmissible disorder and commonly attacks the liver. Hepatitis spread by drinking unsafe water or food, also coming into close contact with someone who has the infection. The majority of people living in rural communities with poor sanitation conditions are more exposed to this disease.
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Arsenicosis
Arsenicosis is caused by drinking chemically polluted water with the presence of arsenic. The extent of its health complications severity is unclear considering the effects take a long time to be exposed. Also, most infestation reports are not well documented. The symptoms of this disease include red or swollen skin, nausea and vomiting, tingling of fingers and toes among others. It may also result in cancer due to long term exposure an Health Complications Related to Water Pollution.
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Polio
Polio is a communicable disease spread through close contact with an infected person or through water contaminated with feces. Once the virus enters the blood system, it affects the functioning of the nervous systems leading to extreme general body weakness. The infection may lead to paralysis of essential muscles, for instance, those of heartbeat or respiration an Health Complications Related to Water Pollution.
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Dysentery
Dysentery is an intestinal infection that can last within a week and can lead to severe diarrhea with the presence of blood mixed with mucus-like. It is one of water-borne disease mainly caused by taking contaminated water or food. In most cases, it can either be caused by bacteria or parasites such as Shigella and Entamoeba respectively.
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Giardia Infection (Health Complications Related to Water Pollution)
This waterborne disease is caused by a parasite. About 75% of persons infected with this disease develop no symptoms. It is shared through the fecal-oral route by swallowing unsafe water or contaminated water. Commonly found in streams, underground pond, swimming pool and also the municipal water supply. Giardiasis can be manifest through stomach cramps, nausea, bloating and watery diarrhea. It is always good to observe good hygiene.
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