Lesson 7: DON'T DRINK THE WATER

CONTAMINATION, BACTERIA AND ILLNESS

There are many different types of water-borne illness, and many ways in which water is contaminated. For our intents and purposes, we’ll be looking at the types of illness and means of contamination that affect us, the common hiker or camper, the most. First, we’ll look at the three means of contamination that are most likely to cause the kind of contamination that would make the common camper ill:

• Decay of organic material. This material can be either plant or animal. Decaying plants in a body of water can cause contamination, and a dead fish or animal decomposing in the water is an excellent source of contamination. You wouldn’t eat a dead raw fish, or even a cooked fish that has been lurking in your refrigerator for who knows how long, would you? Would you want to drink the water this fish (raw or cooked) has been steeping in for some time?
• Biological organisms that live in the water or soil. Water and soil are excellent mediums for growing bacteria of all sorts.
• Microorganisms from animal or human waste. Does a bear poop in the woods? Well, yes, but what’s to stop him from doing it in a stream? There are also those campers who do not dispose of their waste in a hygienic manner (more on that later). Some of these campers just dump the contents of their portable potties in the nearest body of water, thinking that since it’s organic material, it poses no threat to the environment. But what of the ill-informed camper downstream dipping a cup into what he thinks is nice clean water and taking a big drink? Gross, I know, but in terms of causing illness, this is the most common form of water contamination, and the most likely illness-causing form of contamination.

• Typhoid Fever: Typhoid Fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, and is spread by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. To date, there are over 100 different strains of the bacteria, making it hard to treat.
• Cholera: Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, and is primarily encountered outside the United States, in less-developed countries. A contaminated water supply can cause huge epidemics of the illness. These epidemics primarily affect children.
• Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A (caused by the Hepatitis A virus) is transmitted through the feces of an infected person. If our irresponsible camper, who dumps his waste into the water, has Hepatitis A, anyone drinking the contaminated water can contract the virus.
• Campylobacteriosis: Caused by the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacteriosis is also transmitted through the feces of an infected person.
• And now, the most common of them all, every camper’s nightmare, the illness known as “Beaver Fever”: Giardiasis. Giardiasis is caused by the bacterium Giardia lamblia, and is spread by, that’s right, feces. The term “Beaver Fever” comes from the fact that beavers are common carriers of the bacteria, and we all know where beavers live (in the water), so we don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce where their bathrooms must be. Humans are also great transmitters of Giardia (especially since some people show absolutely no symptoms at all, but can still transmit the illness).

• CAUSED BY: The bacterium Campylobacter jejuni.
• TRANSMITTED BY: Eating raw or undercooked poultry, and drinking water contaminated with the feces of an infected animal, bird, or human.
• INCUBATION: 2-5 days after exposure.
• SYMPTOMS: Diarrhea (may be bloody), abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting, and fever. Some infected people don’t show any symptoms at all.
• TREATMENT: Almost all people infected with Campylobacter recover with no treatment other than plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. In cases of severe infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to shorten the duration of the symptoms. However, antibiotics are only effective if given early in the infection process.
• DURATION: Most people recover within 2-5 days of the onset of symptoms. However, recovery can take up to 10 days.
• COMPLICATIONS? People with compromised immune systems (such as those with AIDS) who contract Campylobacteriosis can have the infection spread to the bloodstream, which is a life-threatening condition. Campylobacteriosis has also been implicated in cases of arthritis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, which causes the body to attack its own nerves, resulting in paralysis that can last up to a few weeks at a time. Approximately one in every 1000 cases of Campylobacteriosis results in Guillain-Barre syndrome, and it’s estimated that 40% of Guillain-Barre cases in the US may have initiated with a Campylobacter infection.
• FATAL? Rarely. However, those victims whose infections spread to the bloodstream and aren’t treated may die from the infection.
• PREVENTION: *Cook all poultry thoroughly to destroy the bacteria. Cooked poultry should not be pink inside, and the internal temperature of the cooked poultry should be 180 degrees F. *Wash your hands and any cutting surfaces with hot soapy water after handling raw poultry. *Wash your hands thoroughly with hot soapy water after any contact with pet feces. *DON’T DRINK FROM RIVERS, STREAMS, LAKES, OR ANY OTHER NATURAL WATER SOURCE.

• CAUSED BY: The bacterium Giardia lamblia.
• TRANSMITTED BY: Infected feces of animal or humans present in natural water sources.
• INCUBATION: 1-2 weeks after exposure.
• SYMPTOMS: Diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting. Some infected people will not have any symptoms.
• TREATMENT: Usually with metronidazole (an antibiotic) in adults, and furazolidone (an antibiotic) in children. If one person in a family contracts Giardiasis, usually the whole family is treated, since the infection is so easily spread. Again, drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration.
• DURATION: 2-6 weeks in otherwise healthy people. In those people whose health is already compromised, recovery could take longer.
• COMPLICATIONS? Occasionally, chronic diarrhea and chronic malabsorption of fat and lactose can occur as a result of Giardiasis,, mostly in children.
• FATAL? Rarely.
• PREVENTION: *NEVER DRINK UNTREATED WATER FROM A NATURAL WATER SOURCE. *Wash your hands thoroughly with hot soapy water after coming into contact with feces of any type. *Never let a child with diarrhea into a swimming pool, and if you suspect a child in a pool has diarrhea, keep your kids out.
  
  
  

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