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Gwendolyn Jones
Dr. Cassel
Final Research Paper
English Comp II
6 November 2014
What Causes Water Illness
When I started researching the topic on water illnesses, I have found out that more than
3.5 million people have died from water-related diseases (WHO). Not only have scientists been
studying to find out the actual causes, they have also tried to find a cure. This is what brought me
to write on the major aspects causing these illnesses, and why so many people are dying from it.
The major diseases are waterborne diseases, diarrhea and recreational water illnesses.

(WHO).
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), The biggest
waterborne disease outbreak in United States history happened in 1993 in Milwaukee, WI when
an excess of 400,000 individuals got sick with diarrhea due to the parasite cryptosporidium
found in the city's drinking water supply." Some may wonder what parasite cryptosporidium is
exactly. The term cryptosporidium is a disease that forms a microscopic parasite which causes

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the diarrhea disease in both humans and animals (Medicine Net). Waterborne diseases are
caused through recreational or drinking water infected by microbes or pathogens. What
formulates the recreational illnesses is when someone comes in contact with water or drinking
water that has become contaminated. Some of the water such as rivers, and lakes are mostly
contaminated through sewage leaks, animal waste, or water runoffs from rainfalls (Minnesota
Dept. of Health).
There are many forms of waterborne diseases that have been known throughout the U.S.
that are causing many of these illnesses. One of these diseases is Cholera. According to the
Arizona Dept. of Health Services, cholera is a form of pathogen called a vibrio cholera
bacterium that forms symptoms such as: watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps these
symptoms are caused by contaminated drinking water, rivers and coastal waters. Basically, one
gets cholera from contaminated water.
Moreover, diarrhea is another disease that spreads like a wild fire due to water-related
illnesses. Diarrhea is a form of feces that comes through the body but in liquid form. According
to the World Health Organization, Diarrhea occurs world-wide and causes 4% of all deaths and
5% of health loss to disability. Not only that, but its also caused by the gastrointestinal
infections that have killed at least 2.2 million people every year (WHO).

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Diarrhea is mostly caused by the amount of bacteria, of virus-related and bloodsucking
organisms that are consumed through contaminated water. Water that becomes contaminated due
to human feces whether from public sewers, infected tanks, or latrines is of unusual distress
(WHO). In addition, studies have also proven that feces from animals containing microorganisms
can also cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can also spread from person to person due to aggravation of
poor personal hygiene (WHO). Additional, food is also a main reason why people get diarrhea.
As the World Health Organization explains, Food that is prepared or stored in unhygienic
conditions can cause this disease as well as water that contaminate food during irrigation such as
fish, and seafood from polluted water.
Lastly, recreational water illnesses is another cause to the many deaths due to water
related diseases. This can also be a wide variety of infections, including stomach, skin, ear,
respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections (ADHS). One of the major symptoms
through this illness is E. coli. E. coli is a bacterial disease that can be easily transmitted from one
person to another and through contamination of water and food (Emedicine Health).

(CDC).
In the image above it shows how important these recreational water illnesses are. Not
only are they dangerous but they have increased tremendously through the years. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recreational illnesses are caused by swallowing

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and smelling of aerosols and coming in contact with water that has been contaminated. These
waters can be from swimming pools, and other various bodies of water. Recreational water
illnesses are not only spread through water but also through chemicals that dissolve and cause air
quality complications (CDC). Overall, recreational water illnesses can be easily prevented just by
going to the restroom and not in the pools, not swallowing the water, and checking the chlorine
levels before getting in (CDC).
As a child I never encountered the illnesses from contaminated water or food. However, I
watched my brother suffer from this disease. It changed the relationships in my family because
of it. My brother was a serious eater, mostly seafood. His favorite was catfish of all things. We
went out to dinner as a family to an all-you-can-eat-buffet, and my brother had a reaction to his
fish. No one thought the fish had caused it, but my mom rushed him to the E.R and thats when
we found out that, not only did he have salmonella, but that his fish was contaminated from the
water. He then got severe diarrhea and had a few stomach issues. It was heartbreaking. I was in
shock that someone would serve food in their restaurant without testing it first. In addition to this
we sued the restaurant. Overall, I am blessed that my brother lived.
In conclusion, when researching about the various issues regarding water illnesses, I have
learned things that I had no idea were so serious. I see things around me that catch my attention
on where the water we drink really comes from. I believe this topic is something everyone
should want to know about because its important to know what is found in the water we drink
and how we can develop diseases just by drinking straight from the tap, swallowing water from
pools, lakes, and oceans.

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Work Cited
"Division of Infectious Disease." Recreational Water Illness (RWI). "Division of Infectious
Disease 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.
MedicineNet - Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors. Health and Medical
Information Produced by Doctors. n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Minnesota Department of Health." Waterborne Illness. Minnesota Department of Health.",
30 July 2014. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.
"Recreational Water Illnesses." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 25 June 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.
"Shiga Toxin: E. coli 0104:H4 Information by EMedicineHealth.com." EmedicineHealth 8
June 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.
"Waterborne Diseases." Arizona Department of Health Services. Arizona Department of
Health Services, 2014. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.

Water-related Diseases. WHO. World Health Organization, Jan. 2014. Web. 6 Nov. 2014