Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver. Hepatitis A is transmitted from person to person through contaminated food or water. In many third world countries, the rate of infection is extremely high due to the lack of clean water and hygiene. Hepatitis A is most often contracted at a young age. It is most commonly spread through eating or drinking food and water contaminated with human feces. This can be a very common problem in many areas of the world because often water supplies can be found close to sewers and run along with human feces.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Nausea
- Appetite Loss
- Jaundice
- Diarrhea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRTgacMWGT0
Cholera (Max)
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacterium Vibrio cholera. It’s primary symptoms are excessive diarrhea and vomiting that can quickly lead to dehydration. Cholera is most commonly found in underdeveloped regions of the world where proper sanitation systems have yet to be implemented, and an estimated 3-5 million cases occur each year causing upwards of 100,000 deaths. Rehydration therapy, zinc treatment, and antibiotics are the three most commonly used forms of treatment for Cholera, and two types of preventative vaccines are available as well.
E. Coli (Ryan)
E. coli (Escherichia)is the name of a germ that lives in the digestive tracts of humans and animals.
Most strains of e.coli are harmless, but some can cause bloody diarrhea You get an E. coli infection by coming into contact with the feces of humans or animals. This can happen when you drink water or eat food that has been contaminated by feces. Human or animal feces infected with E. coli can sometimes get into lakes, pools, and water supplies. People can become infected when a contaminated city or town water supply has not been properly treated with chlorine or when people accidentally swallow contaminated water while swimming in a lake, pool, or irrigation canal. Bacteria can also spread from one person to another, usually when an infected person does not wash his or her hands well. The main symptoms of an E. coliinfection are:
Bloody diarrhea.
Stomach cramps.
Nausea and vomiting.
No current treatments can cure the infection, relieve symptoms or prevent complications. For most people, the best option is to rest and drink plenty of fluids to help with dehydration and fatigue. Avoid taking an anti-diarrheal medication — this slows your digestive system down, preventing your body from getting rid of the toxins.
The water can be treated using chlorine, ultra-violet light, or ozone, all of which act to kill or inactivate E. coli. Systems using surface water sources are required to disinfect to ensure that all bacterial contamination is inactivated.
Your public water system is required to notify you if, for any reason, your drinking water is not safe. You can boil your water for one minute at a rolling boil, longer at higher altitudes, to further prevent unwanted bacteria.
Sources
Hepatitis A:
- http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs328/en/
- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hepatitis-A/Pages/Treatment.aspx
E. Coli:
Is E. coli contamination a worry for our water supply?
ReplyDeleteWhat is Rehydration therapy, or zinc treatment?
ReplyDeleteRehydration therapy is the collective term for the numerous types of treatment for people suffering from extreme dehydration. This usually consists of making the dehydrated person take small doses of water mixed with various amounts of salt and sugar over an extended period of time. Zinc treatment is simply the supplementation of zinc into one's diet through pills or other means to reduce the duration/severity of diarrhea .
DeleteDo children or adults mostly contract hepititas A?
ReplyDeleteAre there any prevention techniques to protect from E. coli besides the obvious use of proper hygiene?
ReplyDeleteAnother question about the rehydration therapy and zinc treatments, what are they of course, and where are they performed? For example, do you have to go to a special clinic or just the hospital? -Mary Broomall
ReplyDeleteHow does the bacteria that causes cholera get into the water?
ReplyDeleteIs there active research into finding a cure or treatment for these? Are children more likely to get this than adults?
ReplyDeleteAll public water systems using surface waters are required by law to disinfect, which will kill E. coli. So for a public water supply, it should not be a worry.
ReplyDeleteOther than boiling drinking water, no further steps are needed to prevent e.coli.
ReplyDeleteThere is active research in finding a cure for E.coli, however, no cure has been found. The best thing to do is to drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest. Since children have weaker immune systems, they are more likely to get e.coli.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the hepatitis a rates in the U.S.? Is it common even with a vaccine available?
ReplyDelete