Water borne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms which is present in animal waste. This disease happens if infected or dirty water containing these microorganisms is consumed. According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), waterborne diseases claim the lives of 1.8 million people annually with the most prominent being various water borne diarrhoeal diseases mainly affecting children in developing regions.
Common water borne diseases are malaria, dysentery, diarrhoea, typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis, worms, polio. As lethal as they can be water borne diseases can be avoided with a bit of discipline and hygiene. Below given are few tips to help you avoid water borne diseases.
- You should only drink filtered and boiled water: Filtering and boiling water can eliminate and kill the harmful microorganisms.
- You should always store water in a clean container: A dirty container can contain harmful microorganisms and contaminate the water.
- You must wash all the jars and containers daily as they might be contaminated.
- You should wash your hands with soap or sanitise your hands after using the washroom and before eating anything. Likewise you should also wash your hands before cooking any food.
- You should always keep your nails short and clean: Dirt and foreign particles including harmful microorganisms can get stuck under long nails and can get mixed with your food.
- You should thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruits before cooking them or eating them: Vegetables and fruits, when you buy them are dirty and are covered with harmful substances. Washing the vegetables or fruits washes off the dirt and the harmful substances.
- You should keep all foods and beverages covered.
- You should consume warm and freshly prepared food: food that has been put aside uncovered for some time might have been contaminated and may get you sick.
- Street food should be avoided at all costs.
- You should not drink water form unreliable sources.
- You should avoid stepping out on an empty stomach.
- You should get your pipes and water supply tanks to your house cleaned periodically: microorganisms and germs can get accumulated and contaminate your main water supply.
- If you are travelling you should only drink bottled water and should avoid uncooked food.
Thus by following a healthy and hygienic regime and by following the above given tips you can prevent various types of water borne diseases.
