Waterborne Dieases
Protect yourself and your family!
CAUTION
Leptospirosis (bacteria)
Caused by the bacteria Pathogenic Leptospira (which reproduces asexually through bianary fission).
Symptoms include: High fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash
Can get infected through liquids, soil, or food from infected animals; bacteria can get into body through skin or mucous membranes. Vector Organisms: humans and animals.
Without treatment, can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
Can be prevented by: Not coming in contact with waters contaminated with infected animal urine and/or eliminating contact with animals that could be infected. Can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin
The sickness peaks during rainy seasons; occurs worldwide
Dermatitis (bacteria)
Caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa which reproduces asexually, through binary fission.
Stay away from poorly maintained hot tubs, spas, or pools. These microorganisms infest those waters as well as the waters of contaminated lakes.
Symptoms to be wary of: Itchy spots on the skin that become a bumpy red rash. The rash is worse in areas that were covered by a swimsuit. Pus-filled blisters around hair roots.
WARNING! Do not spend hours on end in dubious water. It may be contaminated. Thankfully, there is no vector organism
Asking your pool/hot tub operator if disinfectant (for example, chlorine) could be put into the pool every month.
Scabies (animal)
Scabies is a contagious skin infection that spreads rapidly in crowded conditions.
The disease is caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It reproduces by sexually (creating offspring by laying eggs).
This animal and disease is found worldwide
Symptoms include a pimple-like rash; most commonly found on the hands, especially the webbing between the fingers, the skin folds of the wrist, elbow or knee, or the shoulder.
Often causes intense itching all over the body
To cause Scabies, a fertilized female mite burrows into the skin, depositing eggs in the tunnel behind her. After the eggs are hatched, larvae migrate to the skin surface and eventually change into the adult form. Mating occurs on the skin surface (reproductions is sexual).
Spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact and through contact with infested garments and pajamas.
Environments that are likely to spread scabies include hospitals, childcare facilities and any crowded living conditions. Scabies-spreading ticks can also be found in moist environments, such as in and near lakes.
To prevent scabies from plaguing your family, encourage improved personal hygiene and make sure you have access to an adequate water supply.
Treatment of patients with scabies include, acaricide ointments followed by a hot bath.
Infested clothing should be sanitized or washed in hot soapy water.
Amoebic dysentery (protist)
Amoebic dysentery is caused by the parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, which makes its home in lakes, streams, and unsanitary pools, and reproduces using Excystation.
90% of the time, victims of this disease do not show any symptoms. The symptoms usually make themselves known from three days into the infection to three months. However when they do occur, they cause diarrhea, a tender abdomen, nausea, and weight loss.
It is contracted through contaminated drinking water and food. It can also be transmitted between people when hygiene is poor, but it is uncommon.
Protect yourself by always washing fruit and vegetables, especially lettuce, well with clean water before eating. Practice strict hygiene after going to the toilet and before preparing food.
Do not drink contaminated water. Water can be disinfected by adding one teaspoon of domestic bleach to 20 liters of water, allowing it to stand for 1 hour before drinking.
Giardiasis (protist)
Symptoms shown and associated with Giardiasis includes, a mild diarrhea, stomach cramps, abdominal cramps, large amounts of intestinal gas, an enlarged belly from the gas, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, sometimes a low-grade fever
It spreads from person to person by lack of hygiene, contaminated water, or containers of food. Vector organisms include animals and humans. The disease reproduces asexually, through binary fission.
Protect yourself by hand washing (especially after changing a baby's diaper and using the toilet). If drinking water has the possibility of being contaminated, boil it for five minutes before drinking.
Between 1% and 20% of the U.S. population has giardiasis, and this number may be 20% or higher in developing countries.
Have your kids wash their hands well after handling anything in "touch tanks" in aquariums, a potential source of giardiasis.
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Website: kazem&caifoundation.com/waterborne
Location: Atlanta, GA, United States
Phone: (206)-555-2134