Water-borne Diseases- Grade 5

Diseases- illnesses that affect our health.

Waterborne diseases - are diseases that are spread by contaminated water or food.

They include:

1. Typhoid

2. Bilharzia

3. Cholera

4. Dysentery

Typhoid

It is caused by bacteria that are spread through eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water

Signs and symptoms

1. Body weakness

2. Headache

3. Rash on neck and abdomen

4. Fever

5. Vomiting and diarrhoea

Prevention of typhoid

1. Washing hands and utensils before handling or eating food.

2. Washing fruits before eating and washing vegetables before cooking.

3. Cooking food well before eating. Always cover food.

4. Boiling water before drinking

5. Spraying the house and the toilet with an insecticide to kill flies.

Bilharzia

Bilharzia, also known as snail fever, is a disease caused by a parasitic worm. A person becomes infected when he or she comes into direct contact with fresh water that has snails carrying the parasitic worm.

Signs and symptoms of bilharzia

1. Body rashes

2. General body weakness

3. Headache

4. Fever

5. Vomiting and diarrhoea

Prevention of bilharzia

1. Cleaning and disinfecting swimming pool water.

2. Draining stagnant water. Avoid walking in stagnant water.

3. Drinking safe and clean water

4. Bathing or showering using clean water

5. Weaving gloves and gumboots when working in waterlogged areas.

Cholera

Cholera is caused by bacteria that spread through eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water.

Signs and symptoms of cholera

1. Body weakness

2. Headache

3. Fever

4. Vomiting and watery diarrohea

5. Loss of fluids and severe dehydration.

Prevention of cholera

1. Washing hands before handling or eating food.

2. Washing fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking.

3. Cooking food well before eating. Always cover food.

4. Boil water before drinking it.

5. Spraying the house and the toilet with an insecticide to kill flies.

Dysentery

Is caused by bacteria that are spread through food and drinking water that is contaminated.

Signs and symptoms of dysentery

1. High fever and chills

2. Abdominal pains

3. Loss of appetite

4. Weight loss

5. Headache

6. Fatigue

7. Vomiting

8. Dehydration

9. Severe diarrhoea

Prevention of dysentery

1. Washing fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking

2. Boiling water before drinking

3. Cooking food well before eating it. Always cover food

4. Spraying the house and the toilet with an insecticide to kill flies

5. Washing hands before handling or eating food.