Can I Get Hepatitis A From Drinking Non-Disinfected
Water From A Lake Or Stream?
In
short, yes, if that water has been infected by the feces of someone who has the
disease.
The
reason why is because of the small size of the virus (less than 0.1 micron
diameter), most cartridge type filters will not remove them from water.
A
safe bet is to always either boil or adequately disinfect water you take from a
streams while camping, hiking or biking in rural areas.
What
is Hepatitis A and what are its symptoms?
Hepatitis
A is a serious liver disease caused by a virus. Symptoms may include fatigue,
poor appetite, fever, nausea and abdominal discomfort. Urine may become dark
and the whites of a person's eyes or their skin may become yellowed — condition
known as jaundice.
Symptoms
most commonly appear within three to four weeks after exposure, although
symptoms can appear
as early as two weeks and as late as six weeks after
exposure.
A
person spread the virus as early as two weeks prior to showing any symptoms and
will continue to spread the virus up to one week after the onset of jaundice.
How
exactly is the virus spread? The virus is ingested (swallowed), multiplies in
the body and is passed in the feces (bowel movements).
The
virus can be carried on an infected person's inadequately washed hands and be
spread by direct contact or consuming food or drink handled by that person.
How
can Hepatitis A be prevented?
 |
| Reverse Osmosis with Steel Tank |
People
working with ready-to-serve foods such as salads, fruits and sandwiches or
those who slice meats should wear disposable plastic gloves.
They
should be worn only for the task which they are provided and discarded when they
become soiled, punctured or torn. If they feel ill, they should not go to work.
It
is important to note that there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis A and no
specific treatment once the person has the disease. Symptoms are usually
resolved with adequate rest and diet. Adults tend to develop more severe cases
of the disease than children.
People
who have close personal contact with an infected individual or eat foods
prepared by an infected individual should call their doctor or Health
Department to obtain an immune globulin shot. This
shot reduces the chances of
becoming ill.
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| Ultra-Violet Bactiricidal System |
When
hiking or camping you should always use your judgment and common sense before
drinking from natural streams, as you have no way to accurately judge if the
water is truly safe.
The
best rule of thumb is to bring bottled water along for hikes or camping if you
are unable to boil water you safely collect.
Related Posts:
source: freedrinkingwater.com
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