Examples of water borne Dieases
1 Minute
Waterborne diseases for kids explains how dirty water causes illness, common symptoms, and why boiling water keeps you safe. An English science lesson.
- How drinking water from random places causes waterborne diseases
- Bacteria like E. coli and diseases like cholera, typhoid, diarrhea
- Boiling drinking water well to kill harmful microorganisms
What this lesson teaches
Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by drinking untreated water that contains harmful microscopic organisms. When people consume water from random or untested sources, these tiny germs enter the body and can lead to severe health problems, causing around three million deaths worldwide every year.
How contamination occurs
Drinking water taken from random, unverified places is a frequent way people catch waterborne diseases. Such water sources often harbor dangerous microscopic organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Swallowing this contaminated liquid introduces bacteria directly into the digestive tract, quickly leading to sickness.
Harmful bacteria in water
Unsafe water can carry several specific types of bacteria capable of causing illness. Common examples include Shigella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella. Another dangerous organism found in dirty water supplies is Vibrio cholerae, which infects the digestive system.
Diseases and common symptoms
- Consuming these bacteria leads to illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and severe diarrhea.
- An infected person typically experiences sharp stomach pain and indigestion.
- The body often reacts to these harmful microbes with persistent vomiting.
- High fever frequently develops as an additional symptom of the infection.
Prevention through boiling
Boiling water thoroughly before drinking is the most reliable way to prevent waterborne infections. The heat kills all the tiny microorganisms living in the water, making it pure and safe for the body. Preparing drinking water this way protects people from dangerous stomach illnesses.