I’m a huge fan of water. There’s nothing more refreshing than a tall glass of clean water after a nice walk on a sunny day. I love taking a relaxing bath after a hard day and I always appreciate a scenic view of a lake or the ocean. There aren’t many things that are more satisfying than a shower after a long day, most of us can probably agree with that. Think about all the reasons you love clean water. It keeps our cars clean, our kids clean and it allows our gardens to grow. Have you ever had a water balloon or squirt gun battle?
Our bodies are about 70% water. When we are fully hydrated we are able to think clearer, our muscles work more efficiently, our immune systems function better, and our body is able to detoxify better. (Snape, 2005). Did you know that unclean water is the greatest killer of children under five years old in the world? 1.1 billion people don’t have access to a clean source of water. (Hart, 2010).
· 1.4 million children die annually from diarrhea as a result of contaminated water
· 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions in developing countries
· More than one third of the world’s population does not have access to sanitation facilities
· One half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied as a result of waterborne illness at any given moment
Waterborne Diseases
· Cholera
· Typhoid Fever-responsible for 200,000 deaths each year
· E. coli
· Salmonella
· Botulism
· Hepatitis A
· Dysentery
· Polio
· Schistosomiaisis- the second most devastating parasitic disease in the world (malaria is first).
Dehydration can cause
· Blindness
· Electrolyte imbalance
· Kidney failure
· Confusion
· Coma
· Shock
· Death
Give the gift of clean water:
I am not affiliated with any of these sites in any way; they are just trusted organizations working hard to bring the people of under developed countries a clean course of water.
More info on waterborne diseases
Cholera is an acute disease of the small intestine that is characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps; which can lead to severe dehydration, depletion of electrolytes, acidosis, shock, and death. Some cases of cholera lead to rapid death. Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera and is transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces. (Cholera, 2010).
Typhoid Fever is an acute, life-threatening disease caused by Salmonella typhi that is transmitted by food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Once the bacteria are consumed they will travel to the intestines where they will perforate the intestinal wall and contaminate the blood stream (a condition known as septicemia) which allows it to travel to other parts of the body. Signs and symptoms of Typhoid Fever include rapid onset of high fever, severe headaches, nausea, weakness and fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, rash, and sometimes a hoarse cough. (Typhoid Fever, 2010).
E. coli is a disease caused by the organism Escherichia coli that is obtained by consuming contaminated food or swimming/bathing in contaminated water. It is characterized by severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. E. coli may lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a life-threatening form of kidney failure. (E. coli, 2009).
Botulism is a food and waterborne disease caused by a toxin that is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulism can also occur in infants who consume the spores of the botulinum bacteria. Botulism, in all forms, is very dangerous. It is estimated that 1 gram of this toxin could kill about 1 million people. Symptoms include double and/or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. If left untreated, this disease may progress into paralysis. This paralysis can occur in the muscles used to breathe causing respiratory failure and death. (MedicineNet Inc., 2010).
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that is contracted by consuming food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The virus is simply called the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). Symptoms of Hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and pain, loss of appetite, low grade fever, dark urine, muscle pain, itching and jaundice. Not everyone who contracts this infection will develop symptoms. Symptoms usually last less than 2 months but may last as long as 6 months. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). References
