While there are different kinds of diseases that stem from contaminated water, there are a few which are extremely common in India and there is no collective, common disease symptoms.
These diseases typically occur both in rural and urban areas, so it’s important to take strict precautions no matter where you live.
Here are the symptoms and characteristics of some of the most common water-based diseases in India.
1. Typhoid
Typhoid is a common bacterial waterborne disease caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. This disease is often seen in places where personal hygiene is low and
handwashing is not practised enough. According to one report, around 494 out of every 1,00,000 children in India suffer from typhoid. A lot of villages and smaller towns in India with poor sanitation face a higher risk of typhoid. However, it can also occur in urban cities during the monsoons.
Typhoid can have very serious consequences and can even be fatal if proper treatment is not administered. On average,
around 1 in every 5 cases of typhoid can be fatal. The bacteria is spread through the urine and faeces of infected people, also known as the faeco-oral transmission route. Salmonella typhi
bacteria is also passed through contaminated food and drinking water. This makes typhoid very contagious and anyone who comes in contact with an infected person can contract the disease.
Once infected, you need to be treated immediately. Any delay in treatment can have serious consequences.
Typhoid Symptoms:
Symptoms of typhoid are usually not immediately apparent. The bacterium enters the body through the mouth and then makes its way to the intestine. After around 1-3 weeks, it passes through the intestinal wall to the bloodstream. Once it enters the bloodstream, it can get passed on to other organs in
the body and it is during this period that the symptoms of typhoid become noticeable.
Some of the common typhoid symptoms include:
- High fever
- Extreme weakness
- Muscle pain
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Cough
- Skin rashes with small red spots
- Weight loss
- Chills and abdominal pain
These are the most typical water borne disease symptoms if you’re suffering from typhoid.
Typhoid diagnosis and treatment in India:
Typhoid is usually diagnosed through a blood test or urine samples or stool test to check for the presence of Salmonella typhi.
Once the diagnosis has been made, antibiotics are administered to battle against the infection. The patient will also be given oral fluids or an IV to rehydrate them and prevent dehydration.
If the disease has reached more advanced stages and has affected the bowels, surgical treatment might be required.
Typhoid prevention:
One of the reasons why typhoid is so dangerous is because the body’s immune system cannot fight against it. The bacteria resides within the cells of the host, and so the immune
system cannot attack it. Thus, prevention is the most important step in combating the prevalence of typhoid.
To prevent typhoid, you should practice the following steps:
- Drink purified mineral water
- Wash hands regularly with disinfectant
- Carry sanitiser at all times in case running water is not available
- Avoiding eating in unclean places.
There are also two vaccines available for typhoid – oral vaccine and injectable vaccine. Oral vaccine is given to kids below 6 years of age. Injectable vaccine is given to children under 2 years of age and 2 weeks before to people travelling to high-risk areas.
Consult a general physician on MFine if you’re experiencing Typhoid symptoms
2. Cholera
Cholera is a waterborne disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is commonly transmitted through contaminated food and faeces. According to a report by WHO, there are around 4 million cases of cholera each year. India has experienced cholera outbreaks in the past and there are still
active cases of cholera in the country. One study of an at-risk locality in Kolkata found that there were around 2.2 cases out of every 1000 people. It’s extremely important that we maintain good hygiene and sanitation to contain the spread of cholera and protect ourselves from it.
Some of the ways in which a person might contract cholera include:
- Ice made from contaminated water,
- Roadside food prepared in unhygienic conditions
- Vegetables grown in unhygienic water
- Raw/uncooked fish found in dirty water
Person-to-person transmission of cholera is very rare so it is unlikely that you might contract cholera from coming into contact with someone suffering from it.
Cholera Symptoms:
Cholera is a waterborne disease that is extremely virulent and in some cases can even be life-threatening. Once a person ingests the bacteria, it reaches the intestine and starts producing toxins that cause diarrhoea.
Some of the common symptoms of cholera include
- Frequent, rice water coloured loose stools
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling thirsty
- Abdominal pain
These are the most typical symptoms of cholera, a waterborne disease. You must meet a doctor immediately if you’re experiencing a combination of these symptoms.
Cholera Diagnosis and Treatment in India:
If you are experiencing symptoms of cholera, your doctor will first look at your history to check if you have travelled to any areas where cholera can spread. They will also check for other signs of cholera like reduced skin elasticity and dry mucous membranes in the nose, eyelids and mouth. If your doctor suspects a case of cholera, you will be asked to provide a stool sample.
The sample will then be examined to identify the presence of the bacteria Vibrio cholerae
Common treatment methods for cholera in India include:
- Rehydration – Drinking lots of water and ORS solution will compensate for fluids lost from the body. ORS is available at any medical store
- Intravenous Fluids – IV drip may be needed for people who are severely dehydrated
- Antibiotics and Zinc supplements to counter infections and build resistance
- Feeling thirsty
- Abdominal pain
3. Malaria
Malaria fever is caused by plasmodium parasites and is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito that breeds on stagnant, unclean water such as lakes and sewage drains. When a carrier mosquito bites you, the parasite enters your bloodstream and goes straight to the liver, the site of RBC production. There, the parasite attacks your
RBCs and infected RBCs burst open, resulting in malaria symptoms and the onset of the disease. According to the WHO, India reports around 15 million cases of malaria each year. Sewage systems and public waterbodies, if maintained well will significantly reduce Malaria cases.
Malaria Symptoms:
Some of the common symptoms of malaria include:
- Shaking and chills – can be mild or severe
- High fever
- Continuous sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Convulsions and bloody stools in more severe cases
Malaria diagnosis and treatment in India:
A doctor will be able to diagnose malaria fever through a medical examination and a blood test, such as a peripheral smear to visualize the parasite and serological tests to determine the stage of the disease.
A blood test will tell you what type of malaria you have, if it’s a drug-resistant parasite, if it has resulted in anaemia and if any vital organs have been affected. A peripheral smear test is the most common method to detect malaria in the blood. A drop of the patient’s blood is smeared on a microscopic slide and is stained to identify malarial parasites. Serological tests are also done to detect antibodies against malaria.
Malaria and dengue may have similar symptoms, so you should get a test.
Malaria is treated through a series of drugs and medications as prescribed by a doctor.
To prevent contracting malaria, always practice safe hygiene protocol, install blinds in your house to prevent mosquitoes from entering and stay clear of unhygienic water sources such as sewage drains and stagnant water.
Consult a general physician on MFine if you’re experiencing Cholera or Malaria symptoms
4. Giardiasis:
Giardiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Giardia lamblia, a water-based pathogen, that mainly spreads through a faeco-oral contamination route and affects the small intestine. You may contact Giardia by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. It is quite common in India and countries with cramped spaces and poor sanitation in communities.
Giardia lamblia is most commonly found in human and animal faeces. Swimming pools, lakes and public water bodies are the most common infection points of this water based disease. It mostly spreads when people come into contact with infected faeces.
Giardiasis Symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue
These are the most common water borne disease symptoms of Giardiasis.
Giardiasis diagnosis and treatment in India:
You will have to provide a stool sample to check for Giardia. If required, your
doctor may also do an enteroscopy to get a tissue sample from your intestine.
Your doctor will prescribe anti-parasitic drugs to speed up the treatment process.
5. Amoebic Dysentery:
Amoebic dysentery is a waterborne disease that mainly spreads through contaminated food, water and contact with faecal matter. It is an intestinal infection which leads to
inflammation of the intestine as well as severe abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. Blood and mucous in the stools is common too.
Amoebic dysentery usually lasts for 3-7 days.
Diarrhea
Diarrheal infection is located
and targets only intestinal
lumen and upper epithelial cells
Dysentery
Dysentery not only upper
epithelial cells are
targeted but
colon ulceration also results
Amoebic Dysentery symptoms:
- Abdominal cramps/pain
- Fever and chills
- Painful passing of stools
- Intermittent constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloody stools
- High fever
- Excessive thirst due to Dehydration
- Fatigue
Amoebic Dysentery Diagnosis and Treatment in India:
Amoebic dysentery is diagnosed through a stool sample under a microscope.
A blood test and a stool test is enough to confirm dysentery. Your doctor will suggest rehydration methods to make up for all the lost fluids
from your body and will also recommend OTC medications and antibiotics if necessary.
6. Hepatitis A
Another common viral waterborne disease, Hepatitis A, occurs by exposure to contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A infection leads to the
inflammation of the liver and temporarily affects liver function. Fortunately, Hepatitis A is not very serious or fatal and
generally goes away on its own in a few days. However, if symptoms persist your doctor will recommend medications and antibiotics to combat the disease.
Waterborne diseases such as Hepatitis A spread when you come in contact with uncooked vegetables, contaminated food and water in unclean food joints and roadside vendors.
Hepatitis A symptoms:
- Yellowish skin due to jaundice
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Body pain and weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Light colored stools
- Loss of appetite
- Darker urine
- Weight loss
Symptoms take some time to appear, usually 15-50 days after you contract the virus.
Hepatitis A diagnosis and treatment in India:
Your doctor will conduct a blood test and look for physical signs such as jaundice for Hepatitis A. There’s no hard and fast treatment for Hepatitis A. Since it goes away on its own in most cases, taking rest for a few weeks will help you recover
fully. Drink plenty of water, eat hot home-cooked meals and avoid alcohol and outside junk foods.
To get the best treatment for a Giardiasis, Dysentery or Hepatitis A, consult a general physician on MFine
7. Shigellosis
Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacterium strain and it affects the intestine, resulting in diarrhoea and vomiting. It is a common disease that spreads through the faeco-oral route. Shigella bacteria is present in contaminated water, food and faeces.
Shigellosis commonly occurs in toddlers and school-going children, because they tend to touch dirty surfaces and put their fingers in their mouths.
Shigellosis Symptoms:
- Frequent diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach pain
More serious symptoms include:
- High fever
- Blood in stools
- Severe abdominal pain and cramps
- Excessive thirst due to dehydration
- Severe nausea and vomiting
Symptoms appear 1-3 days after exposure to the bacteria.
Shigellosis diagnosis and treatment in India:
Dehydration is the biggest issue associated with Shigellosis. It’s important to replenish
your body with fluids to ensure that you don’t lose more water. Your doctor may recommend medications and antibiotics if it’s more severe.
8. Amoebiasis
Amoebiasis is a water-based disease caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. It affects the intestines and causes loose stools, water
loss and stomach cramps. It usually goes away on its own with rest and rehydration.
It is waterborne and enters the body through contaminated food, drinks and faeces. When you ingest small cysts containing E.Histolytica, you will get
infected. If infected, a person can spread the disease through faecal contamination.
Amoebiasis Symptoms:
- Loose stools
- Stomach cramps
- Fatigue
- Excessive flatulence
- Unintentional weight loss
- Blood in stools
Amoebiasis Diagnosis and Treatment in India:
A stool test taken continuously over a few days will confirm the presence of cysts. You may also have to take a liver function test to check for any liver damage. In serious cases, a colonoscopy may be prescribed too.
To get treated for Shigellosis or Amoebiasis, consult a general physician on MFine