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Polio (poliomyelitis)
Polio ia an acute viral infectious disease caused by the agent poliovirus. It is an infantile
paralysis. It spreads from person-to-person from fecal-oral-route. It enters water through the
feces of an infected person. 90% of polio infections cause no symptoms at all but affected
individuals show a range of symptoms if the virus enters the blood stream. If it enters the central
nervous system, it infects and destroys motor neurons which leads to muscle weakness and
accute flacid paralysis. It show symptoms like headache, fever and occasional seizures and
spastic paralysis. Factors like immune deficiency, malnutrition increases the risk of polio
infection. Polio can be prevented by immunization with polio drops at birth, using clean water
and by maintaining proper hygiene.
2. Polyomavirus infection
Polyomavirus are the tumor viruses in humans and animals. They often persist as infections in a
host without causing disease, but produce tumors in a host of different species or a host with
ineffective immune system. Many polymavirus have been found to infect birds and mammals. It
is a tumors virus in humans and animals which leads to fundamental insights into carcinogenesis,
DNA replication and protein processing. It is caused by two viruses JC and BK virus. These
viruses are widespread and manifests itself in water and 80% of the population has antibodies of
Polyomavirus. These two viruses produces a mild respiratory infection and infects kidneys and
brain.
3. SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome)
SARS is a viral respiratory disease in humans caused by SARS coronavirus. It causes flu
including fever, cough, sore-throat and gastrointestinal symptoms. The virus manifests itself in
improperly treated water. It can be prevented by washing hands frequently, using alcohol based
cleaning rubs for hands if soap and water are not available, clean work place environment
regularly, use clean water and do not share your personal articles.
4. Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite which lay their larvae in still water. It begins with the bite of an
infected female ANOPHELES mosquito which introduces the protists through saliva in the
respiratory system. It causes symptoms which include fever and headache and in severe cases
can lead to coma and death. It also leads to respiratory distress which occurs maximum in
children and leads to pneumonia and severe anaemia. Due to bad treatment systems, garbage and
sanitation facilities are not taken care of, and access to clean, treated drinking water is not
available. So all these conditions leads to the possibility of excess water pooling, which creates
the environment for diseases causing mosquitos to breed. So the Anopholes mosquito enter the
blood, causes fever, anemia, and many other complications and eventually death. By using
pesticides and mosquito nets, preventing mosquito bites, cleaning the garbage and not letting still
water outside the houses or in water coolers can help prevent malaria.
5. Lead poisoning
Exposure to lead causes many health problems especially to children. The pipes in buildings are
made of lead. Lead is a metal and gives no benefit to human beings. Too much lead can damage
many systems of our body including the nervous and reproductive system and the kidney. It can
cause high blood pressure and anemia. Lead can damage brain, cause convulsions, coma and
eventually death. People get exposed to lead through air they breath, water ,and through
food/ingestion. The main source of lead is from drinking water through lead piping and leadcombinig solders. So to prevent urself from lead poisoning water should be treated regularly and

if lead pipes cannot be removed, then cold water should be flushed through in the morning
before drinking.
6. Hepatitis A
It is an infectious disease of the liver caused by hepatitis A virus(HAV) usually spread by fecaloral route, person-to-person by ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact
with infectious person. HAV infection produces a self-limited disease which does not result in
chronic infection or liver disease. In poor hygiene places, the risk of infection of virus is high.
The virus can manifest itself in water and food. It causes fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, nausea,
diarrhea, weight loss, jaundice and depression. So hepatitis A can be prevented by using safe
water, proper disposal of sewage and good hygiene and also by taking hepatitis A vaccinations
7. Diarrhoea
Diarrhea is a condition which involves frequent passing of loose and watery stools. It is the
second cause of death among small children. It is caused by a virus that infects the gut. Water
borne diarrhea usually results from the ingestion of viruses and parasites in water contaminated
by human or agricultural fecal waste. It causes the loss of fluids from the body which leads to
dehydration and electrolyte disturbances such as potassium deficiency or salt imbalance.
Travelling diarrhea is caused by drinking water or eating food contaminated with fecal material.
So it can be prevented by using boiled or chemically disinfected water and not eating or drinking
from unknown sources.
8. Dysentery
Dysentry is the disorder of intestine, that results in severe diarrhea , containing blood and mucus
in the feces with fever and abdominal pain. Generally , it is the mild illness causing symptoms
consisting of mild stomach pains and frequent passage of stools. The urge to defecate , the
volume of feces passed and the presence of mucus , pus and blood depend on the pathogen that is
causing the disease. These pathogens enter the large intestine through oral contact, or from
infected and dirty food or water. The person may have elevated body temperature, fever, nausea
and vomiting. It is caused mainly by the poor hygiene and it spreads with tainted food and water
contaminated with the bacteria. It can be prevented by taking measures to reduce the risk of
infection by regularly washing hands, drinking clean water and maintaining good hygiene.
9. Cholera
Cholera is an infection in the small intestine caused by the bacteria vibrio chlorae. Its
symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting. It is caused by drinking water or eating food that has been
contaminated by feces, i.e waste products of an infected person. When their untreated diarrheal
discharge gets into the water system such as groundwater or drinking water, it affects the other
people. Poorly cleaned vegetables irrigated by contaminated water sources is another symptom
of cholera. In places like refugee camps and villages with limited water resources and poor
sanitation conditions, a single affected victim can contaminate water for the entire population. So
if water served is cleaned properly , the mortality rate can rise from 1% to 50%-60%.
10. Amoebiasis
This disease is also known as Travellers Diarrhoea. It infects the large intestine and sometimes
liver also. It can range from mild diarrhea to dysentery with blood and mucus. It is frequently
affected to people who have poor hygiene. It is caused by sewage, non-treated drinking water,
flies in water supply and secondary by direct person-to-person contact or indirectly by eating or
drinking faecally contaminated food or water. To prevent the spread of amoebaisis around the
home, wash hands properly with soap, use clean bathrooms and toilets and avoid sharing things
like towels or face washers.

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