Health Book_03-Special Features_2011_web.pdf - Blue Cross

XBlue cross Health BOOKwater is life!WATER-BORNE DISEASESRecognize some of the common illnesses caused by contaminated water.Water is essential for life. It is a vital resource not only for our bodies, but for numerous activities we engagein everyday. Unfortunately, many of our water sources are dwindling and polluted, causing diseases andproblems worldwide. Poor sanitation, improper hygiene and lack of education, especially in developingcountries, cause casualties everyday.According to the World Health Organization, 3.4 million people die every year from water-related illnesses,making it the leading cause of disease and death around the world. Most victims are children, many ofwhom die of illnesses brought about by organisms that thrive in water sources contaminated by raw sewage.Water-borne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms which are directly transmitted whenwe drink contaminated water. They can be caused by protozoa, viruses or bacteria, many of which areintestinal parasites.AmoebiasisDiseasePathogenicAgentProtozoan(Entamoeba histolytica)Sources of Agentin Water SupplySewage, non-treateddrinking water, flies in watersupplyGeneralSymptomsAbdominal pain anddiscomfort, fatigue, weightloss, diarrhea, bloating, feverWATER-BORNE DISEASESBotulismCholeraE. coli InfectionBacterial(Clostridium botulinum)Bacterial(Vibrio cholerae)Bacterial(Escherichia coli)Bacteria can enter a woundfrom contaminated water;can enter the gastrointestinaltract by consumingcontaminated drinking wateror foodDrinking contaminated waterContaminated waterDry mouth, blurred and/or double vision, difficultyswallowing, difficultybreathing, slurred speech,vomiting, diarrhea. Death isusually caused by respiratoryfailure.Watery diarrhea, nausea,cramps, nosebleed, rapidpulse, vomiting. In severeforms, can be rapidly fatal.Diarrhea. Dehydration fromprolonged illness can causedeath, especially in immunocompromisedindividualssuch as the very young andelderly.