The reason why sewage remediation is so important is because the wastewater that comes from the broken sewage lines contains harmful microorganisms that cause diseases. These pathogens can enter the human body in three ways that include hand-to-mouth contact, inhalation, and the skin contact. Even the pores that riddle the body can be openings in which the microorganisms found in the sewage can enter and cause problems in the body in the form of severe medical conditions and disease.
The risk of disease should be at the forefront of people’s minds because it is quite expensive to see medical treatment for many of the diseases that can happen because of sewage contamination. Even though the water may seem clear and clean, it is a risk that should not be taken. Keep in mind that any kind of water that appears in the property comes from dubious sources. Furthermore, extra care should be taken when the water smells bad and or appears gray. That is a clear indication of contamination. In these cases, it is best to evacuate the area as soon as possible and call the professionals. Do not even attempt to take anything from the affected room because the water can aerosolize and affect even those items that appear safe.
If there is one thing that people should know about sewage, it is that it is considered as a high health risk that should be left to the professionals when it comes to its disposal and cleanup. The following is a list of some of the diseases that that can result from contact with sewage:
Campylobacteriosis
This particular disease is one of the most common diseases that occur in the United States that cause diarrhea. It happens when the body ingests the bacteria called Campylobacter. Although this particular condition does not always result in symptoms, it can lead to cramping, nausea, bloody diarrhea, and even fever. In the most severe cases, the bacteria can travel to the bloodstream and compromise the immune system, which can lead to death. The onset of the symptoms of Campylobacteriosis usually happens two to five days after exposure to the contaminated sewage.
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a microscopic parasite called the Cryptosporidium paryum. This particular pathogen can be quite resistant even if it has lived out of the body for prolonged periods of time. This means that the disease can be quite resistant event to chlorine disinfection. Commonly known as crpto, the disease is can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a slight fever.
E. coli Diarrhea
This disease is caused by the Escherichia coli bacteria, which can be transmitted by water that contains fecal content. When a person comes in contact with it and ingests the bacteria, it can result in bloody diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting. In extreme cases, the infection can lead to kidney failure. Those who have weakened immune symptoms such as those who have pre-existing medical conditions and the elderly are particularly susceptible to E. coli diarrhea. Also, children under the age of five can also be easily infected.
Encephalitis
Not all diseases caused by the sewage occur because of the fecal-oral route. Sometimes, the presence of the water itself can encourage the disease to happen. A species of mosquito called the Culex like to lay their eggs into polluted water such as sewage. The mosquitoes can then be a means of transfer of the viral disease called encephalitis. Some of the symptoms that can occur because of it include fever, stiff neck, convulsions and even paralysis. Babies are particularly vulnerable to the disease so extra care must be taken when it comes to them.
Gastroenteritis
More commonly known as the stomach flu, gastroenteritis is defined as the infection of the stomach because of a variety of viruses. These include the rotavirus, adenovirus, calicivirus, and astrovirus. Some of the symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and aches in the body. The onset of the symptoms usually happen quickly and as little as a day after contact with the contaminated water. The infection can last up to 10 days and treatment includes the replenishment of the fluids lost by the body.
Giardiasis
Caused by the parasite called Giardia intestinalis, Giardiasis occurs quite commonly in the United States. The reason for this is that the parasite is quite resistant because it is protected by an outer shell that lets it survive even without a host for long periods of time. The symptoms of Giardiasis include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a general feeling of weakness.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that leads to jaundice or the yellowing of the skin, pain in the abdomen, and loss of appetite. Unlike other diseases, adults are the ones that are more symptomatic than children. The thing about Hepatitis A is that it tends to last for a long time and relapse. Usually, relapses occur over a period of a year.
Leptospiroris
Leptospirosis caused by a type of bacteria called leptospira. Some of its manifestations include high fever that can result in chills, pains in the body, and vomiting. Some of the physical traits of people with leptospirosis include red eyes and a rash. The onset of this particular disease is serious because it can lead to damage of the kidneys, meningitis, liver failure and even death.
Salmonellosis
A disease caused by the salmonella virus, salmonellosis causes diarrhea, fever, and cramping in the stomach. The onset of the virus can happen in as little as 12 hours after contact with the contaminated water. The illness can last up to week and it not uncommon for it to go away on its own and without the help of treatment. It is those with weak immune systems such as babies and the elderly that can experience salmonellosis in more severe forms such as an infection of the blood stream.
Shigellosis
Also known as bacillary dysentery, shigellosis is caused by bacteria such as the Shigella, Shigella sonnei, and Shigella flexneri. Although most people do not become symptomatic even with contact after the contaminated water, some can exhibit bloody diarrhea, fever and cramping within two days. Also, it can result in seizures for children under the age of two. Shigellosis usually only lasts for a week but it can last longer in infants or the elderly. It is important for people with Shigellosis to constantly replenish the fluids that are lost.
Typhoid Fever
The bacteria Salmonella typhi can result in a medical condition called typhoid fever. This type of bacteria only survives in the bloodstream and intestinal tracts of people. It can be passed on to others through the stools of a carrier found in the sewage. Typhoid is a serious disease that can result in fevers as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit, weakness, and coughing as well as other symptoms that include headaches and nausea. In some people, rashes may develop in the skin. Treatment of typhoid fever usually consists of antibiotics and rehydration.
Yersiniosis
One of the diseases that result from contact with sewage is because of rod-shaped bacteria called the Yersinia. It mostly affects children and can exhibit symptoms that range from fever to diarrhea. Those who have yeriniosis also often complain of cramping in the stomach. The pain is usually confined in the right side of the abdomen. Furthermore, rashes and joint pain can occur.
Cholera
Cholera is a kind of bacterial infection that is spread through contact with water that is contaminated by human feces, which is exactly what sewage is. The symptoms include extremely high fever and diarrhea. Often, the stool is accompanied by rice-shaped debris that is actually flecks from the colon. Cholera has a short incubation period which makes it important to get treatment quickly. Within a period of one to five days, it can already cause severe dehydration for the patient which can result in death. The most common treatment of cholera is oral rehydration although the fluids can be administered intravenously.
Again, it cannot be emphasized enough for property owners to take the problem of the sewage backup seriously. Also known as raw sewage, septic tank waste, and sewage sludge, these materials should not be touched or even attempted to be cleaned up. In this circumstance, the handling is best left in the hands of professionals who have the necessary equipment and training to do the disinfection properly.
Finally, to avoid the experience of going through any of the diseases that were aforementioned, do not enter the property again until you have been given a go signal by the professionals conducting the work. The disinfection must be done thoroughly because many of the pathogens that sewage carries can be quite resistant even to bleach and chlorine. Thus, the cleaning must be completed and the room declared safe before habitation is again done on the room.
Because of the many health dangers that are associated with the presence of sewage in the home, it is important to act quickly and refuse to allow the dirt to last longer than necessary. For your safety and the safety of the loved ones, invest in a good plan that will ensure that the diseases caused by sewage are not situations that are dealt with. Through vigilance and presence of mind, the occurrence of these diseases can be avoided entirely.
