Germs Behind Water Pollution

Chemicals and pesticides can cause water pollution, as can bacteria, viruses and fungi. Consuming water that has been contaminated with germs, can cause health problems. Contamination of drinking water supplies can occur at the source of water or when distributing drinking water to consumers. One of the things that can contaminate water is microorganisms. Various microorganisms that can cause disease are called pathogens. Some pathogens that cause water pollution include:

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus is a virus that is easily transmitted. If someone is infected with this virus, his liver will become inflamed. As a result, liver function can decrease. Symptoms that arise due to infection with hepatitis A virus are yellowish eyes and skin, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and discomfort in the right abdomen (liver area). These symptoms do not appear immediately after infection, but several weeks afterwards. In addition to drinking virus-contaminated water, transmission of hepatitis A can be through the consumption of food that is also contaminated. It can also be due to direct contact with an infected person.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterium that causes typhus, which causes symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract. If the water is tainted with Salmonella, this bacteria can infect the body. Symptoms will appear 12 hours to three days later, in the form of fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. This disease can also make sufferers dehydrated. Diseases due to Salmonella infection usually last for four to seven days.

Shigella

Shigella is a group of bacteria that cause infectious diseases called shigellosis, a form of dysentery. One type that can infect humans through contaminated food and drink is Shigella dysentery. Patients with shigellosis will experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or stomach cramps, one to two days after infection.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Bacteria that live in the digestive tract, are generally not dangerous. However, there are several types of E. coli which can cause diarrhea, sometimes even accompanied by blood. E. coli is found in animal and human feces. This dirt can carry over into the water, such as a lake or a swimming pool. At this time, E. coli causes water pollution. Lake water or swallowed swimming pool water, is an entry point for E.coli to infect the body. Drinking water supplies can also be contaminated by this bacteria. Another method of transmission is if someone does not wash their hands after cleaning the feces of someone infected with E.coli, then uses the hands to eat. To minimize the risk of disease infection due to water pollution, you are advised to wash your hands frequently, and to keep food and drinks consumed in order to always be clean.