15 Dangerous Diseases You Can Contract from Water

Imagine taking a refreshing dip in a lake on a hot summer day, only to end up with a life-threatening illness. It’s a scary thought, but waterborne diseases are more common than you might think. From brain-eating amoebas to flesh-eating bacteria, contaminated water can harbor a host of dangerous pathogens.

In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that 3.4 million people die from water-related diseases every year.1 That’s more than the population of Chicago! So, before you take the plunge, here are 15 of diseases you could catch from water.

1. Cholera

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Cholera is a severe diarrheal illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It spreads through contaminated water and can lead to rapid dehydration and shock.

In the 1800s, cholera outbreaks were a major cause of death in cities like London. While rare in developed countries today, cholera still kills up to 143,000 people worldwide each year.(ref)

Cholera causes profuse, watery diarrhea, vomiting, leg cramps, and dehydration. Without prompt treatment with oral rehydration solution or intravenous fluids, cholera can be fatal within hours. The best way to prevent cholera is by ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation.

Vaccines are also available for those living in or traveling to high-risk areas.

2. Naegleria fowleri (Brain-eating Amoeba)

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Naegleria fowleri, often called the “brain-eating amoeba,” is a rare but deadly organism that lives in warm freshwater lakes and rivers. It enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain, causing a devastating infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). PAM has a fatality rate of over 97%, with only 4 documented survivors in the United States.

The first signs of PAM mimic meningitis and include headache, fever, nausea, and stiff neck. As the infection progresses, it causes confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. Death typically occurs within 5 days.

To avoid Naegleria fowleri, the CDC recommends avoiding water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature. Hold your nose shut or use nose clips when participating in activities in warm bodies of freshwater.

3. Typhoid Fever

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Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It spreads through contaminated food and water and is a major health threat in the developing world. The World Health Organization estimates that typhoid fever kills around 110,000 people each year, with antibiotic-resistant strains making treatment increasingly difficult. (ref)

Those infected with typhoid fever experience high fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, patients may experience diarrhea or constipation, enlarged spleen and liver, and even life-threatening intestinal bleeding.

Vaccines are recommended for those traveling to typhoid-endemic areas. Avoiding risky foods and drinks and practicing good hygiene are also key prevention measures.

4. Hepatitis A

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Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It spreads through contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person. While most people recover completely with no lasting liver damage, the disease can cause debilitating symptoms and keep you out of work or school for months.

Hepatitis A leads to fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). There’s no specific treatment for the virus, but it can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. The CDC recommends the hepatitis

A vaccine for all children at age 1 and for at-risk adults, including travelers to certain countries and people with chronic liver disease.

5. Schistosomiasis

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Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic worms that live in freshwater snails. When infected snails release the worms’ larvae into water, the larvae can penetrate human skin and travel through the bloodstream to various organs. Over 250 million people worldwide are infected, mostly in Africa, Asia, and South America.

The signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis depend on the worm species and the infected organs. They can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool or urine, liver and spleen enlargement, and even paralysis or seizures if the brain is affected.

The disease is treatable with a medication called praziquantel. Preventive measures include avoiding swimming or wading in freshwater in endemic areas and using safe water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.

6. Giardiasis

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Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Giardia lamblia (also known as Giardia intestinalis). Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals. It’s a common cause of waterborne disease in the United States, especially in recreational waters like pools, lakes, and streams.

People with giardiasis may experience diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration. The illness can last for weeks and may lead to weight loss and malnutrition.

Giardiasis is diagnosed through a stool test and treated with prescription antiparasitic drugs.

7. Legionnaires’ Disease

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Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by bacteria called Legionella. The bacteria thrive in warm water and can contaminate the water systems of large buildings, such as hotels, hospitals, and cruise ships. People can get Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in small droplets of water containing the bacteria.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches, and headaches. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but it often requires hospitalization and can be fatal, especially in older adults or people with weakened immune systems.

To prevent Legionnaires’ disease, building owners and managers must maintain water systems and regularly test for Legionella bacteria.

8. Cryptosporidiosis

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Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites called Cryptosporidium. The parasites live in the intestines of infected humans or animals and are passed in the stool. They can survive outside the body for long periods and are very resistant to chlorine disinfection. Cryptosporidium is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.(ref)

Cryptosporidiosis causes watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Some people may have no symptoms at all. While most healthy people recover without treatment, the illness can be severe or life-threatening for those with weakened immune systems.

To prevent cryptosporidiosis, avoid swallowing water from pools, lakes, or streams, wash hands thoroughly, and avoid contact with animal feces.

9. Leptospirosis

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Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects humans and animals. It’s caused by bacteria called Leptospira, which can be found in freshwater contaminated by animal urine. The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions in the skin or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. Leptospirosis is most common in tropical or subtropical climates.

The severity of leptospirosis can vary from mild (headaches, muscle pains, and fevers) to severe (bleeding in the lungs or meningitis). If not treated, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, and even death.

The disease is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin. To prevent leptospirosis, avoid swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine and wear protective clothing or footwear in high-risk areas.

10. Dysentery

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Dysentery is an inflammatory disease of the intestine, especially of the colon, that can lead to severe diarrhea with blood. It’s most often caused by Shigella bacteria or, in amoebic dysentery, by an amoeba called Entamoeba histolytica. Both types of dysentery are commonly associated with poor sanitation and contaminated water.

Dysentery is characterized by frequent passage of watery or bloody stools, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to dehydration, rectal bleeding, and even death if left untreated.

Treatment depends on the cause and may include antibiotics for bacterial dysentery or antiparasitic drugs for amoebic dysentery. Prevention measures include access to clean water, proper handwashing, and safe food handling practices.

11. Cyanobacteria (Blue-green Algae) Toxins

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Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms that live in fresh, brackish, and marine water. Under certain conditions, such as high nutrient levels and warm temperatures, cyanobacteria can multiply quickly and form harmful algal blooms (HABs). Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that can make people and animals sick if they swim in or drink the contaminated water.

The health effects of cyanobacteria toxins can vary depending on the type of toxin and the route of exposure. These may include skin rashes, stomach or liver illness, respiratory problems, and neurological effects.

In severe cases, exposure can result in seizures, respiratory failure, and even death. To stay safe, avoid swimming in water that looks discolored or has a foul odor, and keep pets and livestock away from suspected HABs.

12. Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)

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Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease, is a parasitic infection caused by the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. The disease is contracted by drinking water containing water fleas infected with Guinea worm larvae. Once inside the human body, the larvae mature into adult worms that can grow up to 3 feet long.

The emergence of the adult female worm through a painful blister on the skin, usually on the lower leg, occurs about a year after infection. This process can take weeks, during which the wound can develop secondary bacterial infections.

There is no vaccine or medication to treat Guinea worm disease; the worm must be carefully extracted over a period of weeks. The disease is now rare thanks to eradication efforts, with only 54 cases reported globally in 2019.

13. Escherichia coli (E. coli) Infection

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Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. While most E. coli strains are harmless, some types can cause serious illness. The most common type of E. coli infection is caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can contaminate water supplies through contact with fecal matter from infected humans or animals.

STEC infection leads to severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. Some people may develop a life-threatening condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure, stroke, and even death.

To prevent E. coli infections, practice proper hygiene, avoid swallowing water while swimming, and drink only treated or bottled water, especially when traveling in developing countries.

14. Norovirus

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Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines (acute gastroenteritis). It’s the most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States but can also spread through contaminated water, such as in swimming pools or recreational lakes. Norovirus outbreaks often occur in closed or crowded environments like cruise ships, nursing homes, and schools.

The hallmark signs of norovirus infection include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. While most people recover within a few days, the illness can lead to severe dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

There’s no specific treatment for norovirus, but it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. To reduce your risk of infection, wash your hands frequently, disinfect contaminated surfaces, and avoid preparing food for others while ill.

15. Acanthamoeba Keratitis

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Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious eye infection caused by a microscopic amoeba called Acanthamoeba. The amoeba is commonly found in water sources like tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, and soil. It can infect the eye when contaminated water enters through a small scrape or cut on the cornea, often due to improper contact lens hygiene.

The telltale signs of Acanthamoeba keratitis include eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and a sensation of something in the eye. If left untreated, the infection can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.

Treatment usually involves topical medications to kill the amoeba, but severe cases may require a corneal transplant. To prevent this infection, avoid wearing contact lenses while swimming or using a hot tub, and follow proper lens cleaning and storage practices.

Waterborne diseases pose a significant threat to public health worldwide. By understanding the risks and taking appropriate precautions, we can protect ourselves and our communities from these terrifying illnesses.

Source:

  1. World Health Organization
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.