Diarrheal Diseases - An Epidemic

Diarrheal Diseases Due to Unclean Water, Unhygienic Living Conditions and Inadequate Sanitation

According to UNICEF, more than 1,800 children die from diarrheal diseases linked to lack of sanitation, unclean water and inadequate hygiene each day. Almost 25 percent of all childhood deaths under the age of five occur in India. Approximately 97 million people in India do not have access to improved drinking water. Furthermore, 814 million people in India lack necessary sanitation to protect against disease.

Globally, one in three people do not have a decent toilet and one in nine people do not have clean drinking water close to home. One of the most effective health interventions is to provide clean drinking water, improve sanitation and promote good hygiene to our neighbors. If clean water was available to everyone on the planet, the number of deaths linked to diarrheal disease would be reduced by one third.

Common Waterborne Diseases

Contaminated drinking water can result in a number of serious illness that can result in poor health or even death. Contaminated water often contains pathogens and bacteria that can cause the following diseases:

Dysentery – Dysentery causes fever, nausea and diarrhea. This waterborne disease occurs when amoebas or bacteria enter the water or food supply.

Cholera – Cholera is commonly found in Africa, India, Central and South America and Asia. This diarrheal disease occurs when bacteria attack the small intestine.  Cholera causes abdominal cramps, rapid dehydration, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Hepatitis E – Contaminated drinking water can lead to Hepatitis E.  Hepatitis E causes vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice and liver failure, which can lead to death.

Typhoid Fever – This bacterial infection is prevalent in developing countries and can lead to skin rash, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.

Giardiasis – Giardiasis is caused by parasites in contaminated water. Although this parasitic infection may not cause any symptoms. It can be spread through other's feces. Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of exposure and include weight loss, nausea, abdominal cramping, fatigue and bloating.

Cryptosporidium – Cryptosporidium is a parasitic infection that occurs in the small intestine. It often occurs in young children, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system who drink contaminated water. Malnutrition, weight loss, abdominal cramping, diarrhea and nausea occur with this parasitic infection.

Cyclophorias – Contaminated water can cause an intestinal parasitic disease called cyclosporiasis.  This infection causes headache, fever, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and weight loss.

Guinea Worm – Guinea worm is a parasite that enters the body after drinking unsafe water, causing intense pain and discomfort.

Gastroenteritis – When the intestinal lining is infiltrated by bacteria, viruses or parasites, the intestinal lining can become inflamed. Gastroenteritis causes chills, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, headache and abdominal pain.

Diarrheal diseases are typically caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses that attack the gastrointestinal tract. When a waterborne gastrointestinal infection occurs, severe dehydration and malnutrition can occur, which can lead to death if not properly dealt with. Waterborne illnesses occur when contaminated food or water is consumed, unsanitary living conditions abounds, or poor hygiene occurs.

Join us in working to end diarrheal diseases caused by unclean water, inadequate sanitation and unhygienic living conditions. As we work towards providing people around the world with clean water, educating them on proper hygiene and install adequate sanitation services, we can help save lives.