Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella
Cryptopordium is a gastrointestinal protozoan illness. Short time infection isn't exactly fatal as some of the symptoms include diarrhea, but without detection this contaminant can quickly become severe. This is very common amongst people who are HIV positive. Cyrptospordium gets into our water through sewers overflowing, bowel movements, and flooding. To get rid of this contaminant in our bodies there are a variety of methods you can use depending on what symptoms you display such as fluid rehydration, electrolyte correction, and management of pain. -Olivia
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptosporidium
Giardia is a microscopic parasite encased in a protective casing called cysts that allow it to infect the small intestine. It is spread mostly through water that is infected by human or animal feces, although it can also be spread by human contact. Once in the water it can infect soil which infects food products or it can directly infect a person. It lasts 2-6 weeks and can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, nausea, and can cause severe damage in children. In order to prevent infection, one can purify water by boiling, filtering, or using iodine treatment on water. If one is infected, certain medications can help such as metronidazole, tinidazole, or nitazoxanide. -Catherine & Megan
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001333/
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/giardia
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/giardia-infection/DS00739/DSECTION=causes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardia
Shigellosis is a contagious disease caused by Shigella, a bacteria that causes diarrhea in humans and primates. Shigellosis symptoms include fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea (often containing blood). Without treatment or antibiotics Shigellosis will resolve itself in 5 days to a week, though antibiotics will shorten the duration of the disease and prevent it from spreading further.
Shigellosis is prominent in developing regions with poor sanitation and where human waste is dumped in streets without proper sewage drains. Busy streets where waste is present near food vendors are especially dangerous as the bacteria can be transferred by nearby animals like flies and dogs.
Shigellosis in water can be removed through purification methods like boiling or using iodine tablets (though they do not prevent against Cryptosporidium). -Sam
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/shigellosis/#germ
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/shigella.html
Where did cryptosporidium kill people fairly recently?
ReplyDeleteThe last cryptosporidium outbreak occurred in the UK in May 2012 last year. It infected approximately 300 people in England and Scotland. Luckily, the outbreak didn't last long (it only lasted through the month of May), and the illness ranged from mild to moderate, with no deaths reported.
DeleteRegarding Giardia, how does one know the water supply is, in fact, infested with this microscopic parasite? There could be many more leading causes to the said reciprocations with water (reactions, ect.).
ReplyDeleteGood description on the horrible effects of what cryptosporidium, Giardia, and shigella can do the human body and the environment.
ReplyDeleteWould shigellosis be more and more dangerous to these people exposed to it if caught more than once, compared to the effects of the first exposure?
ReplyDeleteOnce someone has had shigellosis, they will probably not get infected with that type again for a couple of years. They could catch another type of it, but would it be not as bad since their immune system would know how to fight it from experience?
DeleteFor Cryptosporidium, how can we detect the contaminant as to make sure it doesn't become severe?
ReplyDeleteCryptosporidium is found in your stool when sent to a lab.
ReplyDeleteAll of these can be found in pools and hottubs. Not uncommon at all. Many strains are chlorine tolerant.
ReplyDeleteIf these are chlorine tolerant, how do we get rid of them?
ReplyDeleteHow do the cysts effect potency of Giardian parasites? Speed, intensity, etc?
ReplyDelete