Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites found in Drinking Water and their Potential Health Impacts
There are numerous pathogens that can be discovered in drinking water. The most prevalent ones, however, are bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Infants, children, the elderly, and persons with low immune systems are more likely to become ill or possibly die as a result of these viruses.
So, let’s take a deeper look at the most frequent ones found in tap water and the potential health risks they pose when consumed.
1: Coliform Faeces
Coliform bacteria are a type of bacteria that can be found in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. It is also found in organic things such as plants and soil. Coliform in general is not hazardous, but faecal coliform, such as E. coli, can cause serious sickness. Ingesting or breathing faecal coliform-contaminated water can cause digestive distress in the form of nausea, diarrhoea, cramps, and headaches.
2: E. coli
E.Coli is a vast and diverse collection of faecal coliform bacteria that are commonly found in human waste, infected raw fruits and vegetables, and animal and human intestines. Some E. coli bacteria are innocuous and even beneficial to your digestive tract, but ingesting certain strains can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Other strains of E. coli bacteria can cause pneumonia, severe anaemia, urinary tract infection, respiratory disorders, kidney failure (with symptoms ranging from pale skin, weariness, fever, and inability to urinate to death), and other ailments.
3: Acute Hepatitis
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by Hepatitis A viral infection. Ingestion of this virus can result in mild disease lasting a few weeks to severe illness lasting many months, with symptoms such as lethargy, nausea, stomach discomfort, and jaundice.
4: Giardia lamblia
Giardia lamblia is a tiny parasite that is often found in water, soil, or food that has been contaminated with excrement from sick animals or humans. When Giardia lamblia infects a person, he or she develops Giardiasis. According to the CDC, this condition affects the gastrointestinal tract and produces gas, diarrhoea, upset stomach, dehydration, abdominal cramps, and other symptoms.
5: Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium, like Giardia lamblia, is a parasite that is contracted by eating contaminated food and drink. Mild fevers, diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss, weariness, upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and other symptoms are common after swallowing Cryptosporidium. This parasite is also chlorination resistant, making it difficult to eliminate from drinking water.
6: Cyclospora cayetanensis
Cyclospora cayetanensis is another tiny parasite that may wreak havoc on the body. This parasite can cause an intestinal infection known as Cyclosporiasis and is spread by consuming contaminated food or water.
Symptoms typically appear after a week, and many of them include loss of appetite, diarrhoea, weight loss, increased gas, nausea, weariness, bloating, and cramps and pain. It is also possible to experience flu-like symptoms such as vomiting, fever, headache, and body aches. If left untreated, the disease can persist anywhere from a few days to a month or more.
How can Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites be removed from Tap Water?
1.Do not consume the water right away
Because the water includes potentially hazardous bacteria, it is safer to avoid drinking it, brushing your teeth, preparing meals, mixing infant formula, producing ice, washing vegetables, making beverages, and other applications that need ingesting it. Also, make sure to discard any existing ice cubes. Pets should only drink boiled or bottled water. Laundry is still permissible, and adults may shower as long as no water is drank.
2. Put in place a dependable water disinfection/purification system.
A water disinfection/purification system is intended to kill bacteria, viruses, or parasites found in drinking water. These systems typically use UV technology, reverse osmosis filtration, ozonation, or other methods to remove pathogens from water, ensuring that every faucet in your home is free of bacteria, viruses, and parasites 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A whole-house RO System with a UV purifier is a great way to keep E. coli, Cyclospora, and other pathogens at bay throughout your home.
Netsol Water provides the best water treatment systems and wastewater treatment systems in India, including a Whole House RO Plant with an optional UV Water Purification System that kills 99.99 percent of viruses, bacteria such as E. coli, and chlorine-resistant cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
Our systems are available with a choice of customized features to meet the demands of your home, business or industry.
Contact us today to learn more about our water filtration and disinfection systems and how they may help protect you, your family, and your pets from the potentially harmful health consequences of microorganisms in your drinking water.
For further information, call us at +91 9650608473 or email at enquiry@netsolwater.com.