BACKPACKING WATER TREATMENT - Options & Tips - There’s no easy way to tell whether or not that pristine-looking stream a few hundred yards away from your camp is harboring a gut-seeking microbe. If any animal, including humans, can reach an area, so can disease-causing microorganisms. You might find people who claim they’ve been happily drinking untreated backcountry water for years. Beyond mere good fortune, it’s possible they have especially robust immune systems. Such symptom-free people can, of course, still carry their microbiological secret with them to each and every new campsite. The best practice is to treat water from any source, which is what most savvy outdoor visitors do. Any water source on Earth could contain microscopic pathogens, a fluvial zoo spawned when that source became contaminated with human or animal feces. Ingesting as few as 10 disease-causing microorganisms is enough to produce diarrhea and other dehydration-inducing symptoms. Always carry a backup treatment system. A filter can be lost; batteries can drain; a device can get broken. Chemicals offer extra security with negligible weight. Boiling is a surefire backup option: Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, or for 3 minutes if you’re above 6,500 feet. Flowing water, especially in a stream or river is a good option because it isn’t conducive to the growth of algae or the accumulation of microorganisms. A bonus is that mosquitoes don’t lay eggs in fast-flowing water.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Backpacking Water Treatment

Options & Tips

.

Any water source on Earth could contain microscopic pathogens. Ingesting as few as 10 disease-causing microorganisms is enough to produce diarrhea and other dehydration-inducing symptoms. Always carry a backup treatment system. A filter can be lost; batteries can drain; a device can get broken. Chemicals offer extra security with negligible weight. Boiling is a surefire backup option.

Tim Bird 

This article is part of our series: How to Go Backpacking

 

Why all the fuss about water treatment outdoors?

The answer is that there’s no easy way to tell whether or not that pristine-looking stream a few hundred yards away from your camp is harboring a gut-seeking microbe.

If any animal, including humans, can reach an area, so can disease-causing microorganisms.

You might find people who claim they’ve been happily drinking untreated backcountry water for years.

Beyond mere good fortune, it’s possible they have especially robust immune systems.

Such symptom-free people can, of course, still carry their microbiological secret with them to each and every new campsite.

The best practice is to treat water from any source, which is what most savvy outdoor visitors do.

This article offers an overview and tips on outdoor water treatment. To learn about options for travel abroad, read Water Treatment for International Travel.

Primary Types of Waterborne Threats

Any water source on Earth could contain microscopic pathogens, a fluvial zoo spawned when that source became contaminated with human or animal feces.

Ingesting as few as 10 disease-causing microorganisms is enough to produce diarrhea and other dehydration-inducing symptoms.

Pathogens, some of which can survive for months outdoors, fall within three primary types:

Protozoa include Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. These have a hard outer cyst that protects them against certain chemicals. Their relatively large size, though, makes them easier to filter out of water.

Bacteria include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Campylobacter and many others. These midsize microorganisms can also be removed by water filters.

Viruses include Hepatitis A, rotavirus, and norovirus. Because they are smaller than protozoa and bacteria, they are difficult to filter out of water. Technically speaking, treating water by removing or neutralizing them is when you’re “purifying” water.

For a detailed look at your treatment options for all of these pathogens, read How to Choose a Filter or Purifier.

Tip: Always carry a backup treatment system. A filter can be lost; batteries can drain; a device can get broken. Chemicals offer extra security with negligible weight. Boiling is a surefire backup option: Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, or for 3 minutes if you’re above 6,500 feet.

Where to Gather Water

What to look for in a water source:

·      Flowing water, especially in a stream or river. This is a good option because it isn’t conducive to the growth of algae or the accumulation of microorganisms. A bonus is that mosquitoes don’t lay eggs in fast-flowing water.

·      If no clear flowing source is available, then look for calm water (a lake, a pool, a slow-moving stream) without a lot of sediment or silt. Clearer water passes through a filter more swiftly and reduces the chance of clogging.

·      A location that allows you to reach well away from the shore, where microorganisms tend to accumulate in higher concentrations.

Tip: After a heavy rain, wait before gathering water for treatment. When streams are on the rise, rain has washed surface material into them, as well as lakes and other water sources. This increases bacterial loads and muddies up gathered water.

Danger signs in a water source:

The following tipoffs suggest a much greater likelihood of contamination.

If you can choose another water source, do so. If not, then follow water treatment directions for your product carefully.

·      Water (particularly at lower elevations) near meadows or pastures where animals have grazed or near popular, established campsites.

·      Evidence of pack animal traffic or other domesticated animal activity.

·      Signs of sloppy human behavior or a prolonged human visit.

·      Excessive amounts of foam or brown scum, which can indicate algae blooms; though algae itself is rarely harmful, it indicates a nutrient-rich environment for microorganisms to grow.

·      Dirty snow, which indicates human visitors and impacts; also, don’t assume that even clean-looking snow is “safe” because bacteria can live for months in ice.

How to Gather Water

The most important thing when you gather water for treatment is to seek out the clearest possible water.

Leaves, algae and silt don’t pose a threat, but they do complicate the process of treating water when they’re present.

If murky or silty water is unavoidable, consider these strategies:

·      Gather from the surface: Use the pot in your cookset and scoop water from near the surface of the least murky section of water you can locate. Let the pot sit so sediment sinks to the bottom. Take care not to disturb the sediment as you treat this now clearer water.

·      Use a prefilter. If you’re using a filter, its intake hose likely has one on the end. It keeps larger debris from clogging the internal filter element. Prefilters are even more essential for UV-treatment options, and are often sold as an accessory item. No prefilter? Strain water through a bandanna before treating.

Many illnesses attributed to bad water are actually caused by poor hygiene, so keep your hands clean. Pack hand sanitizer and use it often — each and every time you answer Nature’s call. It’s also good practice to sanitize before food prep, before water duty and after your hands have been in contact with a natural water source. 

Leave No Trace Practices

Good practices are required to keep water sources pristine. As more and more of us visit wild places, we need to rededicate ourselves to Leave No Trace principles. Below are some of the key principles related to preserving the quality of backcountry water:

·      Camp at least 200 feet away from water sources.

·      Properly dispose of human waste at least 200 feet away from water sources.

·      Carry water for cleaning at least 200 feet away from water sources.

·      Never use or toss soapy water directly into backcountry water sources. It can help spawn a population of microscopic pathogens in the water.

·      Dispose of soapy water by dispersing it on soil rather than rocks. Soil microorganisms help metabolize the pollutants.

https://youtu.be/Kb_6eXF8kVE

Tim Bird

Camping and Hiking Sales Manager Tim Bird (REI Knoxville, Tenn.), has treated backcountry water along the full length of the Appalachian Trail.

Expert Advice

Your go-to source for expert outdoor knowledge you can trust. All the information you need to learn new skills, choose and maintain gear, prep for your trips and have amazing adventures.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-howto.html

You might also like:

The Leave No Trace Principles 

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2017/09/leave-no-trace-leave-no-trace-seven.html

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Survival Solutions

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/01/image-result-for-images-survivalist.html

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Preparedness Plan In The Event Of A Crisis

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/12/having-preparedness-plan-in-event-of_7.html

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

How Long Can You Survive Without Water

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-long-can-you-survive-without-water.html

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Preparedness

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/11/preparedness-spiritual-preparedness.html

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Ways to prevent dehydration in a survival scenario

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/04/preventing-dehydration-in-survival.html

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

How Long A Human Can Survive Only On Water

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/04/how-long-can-human-survive-only-on.html

VIRUSES IN DRINKING WATER - Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water. This can come from sources such as leaky sewer lines or improperly functioning septic systems, or where manure or unsterilized sewage sludge is present in agricultural areas. Municipal sewer systems are often bypassed during high-rainfall - this can result in raw sewage entering streams, which in turn can affect water supplies downstream. Well water should be checked for coliform bacteria to see if it is at risk for contamination by sewage or fecal matter, which may contain viruses that can infect humans. Water-borne diseases are a common problem throughout the world, especially where disinfection of drinking water is not used. Many people have heard of “traveler’s diarrhea,” where a traveler gets sick from drinking the local water. This is usually caused by a virus in the water. Viruses are very small parasites (ranging in size from 0.000010 to 0.000025 millimeters or between 0.1 and 0.004 micron) that can take over individual cells in their host and use them to reproduce themselves. Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Even in the U.S., it is common for well water to be contaminated with viruses. Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Viruses in Drinking Water

.....

Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water. This can come from sources such as leaky sewer lines or improperly functioning septic systems, or where manure or unsterilized sewage sludge is present in agricultural areas. Municipal sewer systems are often bypassed during high-rainfall - this can result in raw sewage entering streams, which in turn can affect water supplies downstream. Well water should be checked for coliform bacteria to see if it is at risk for contamination by sewage or fecal matter, which may contain viruses that can infect humans. 

filterwater.com

 

Water-borne diseases are a common problem throughout the world, especially where disinfection of drinking water is not used.

Many people have heard of “traveler’s diarrhea,” where a traveler gets sick from drinking the local water.

This is usually caused by a virus in the water. Viruses are very small parasites (ranging in size from 0.000010 to 0.000025 millimeters or between 0.1 and 0.004 micron) that can take over individual cells in their host and use them to reproduce themselves.

Viruses are the cause of 50% of groundwater-related diseases worldwide. Even in the U.S., it is common for well water to be contaminated with viruses.

Contact with fecal matter from humans, livestock or wildlife can contribute viruses to water.

This can come from sources such as leaky sewer lines or improperly functioning septic systems, or where manure or unsterilized sewage sludge is present in agricultural areas.

Such areas can include feedlots or barnyards, manure storage areas, pastures or rangelands, and places where manure or sewage sludge is applied to the ground.

Municipal sewer systems are often bypassed during high-rainfall events when the flow of sewage is greater than the ability of treatment systems to handle it.

This can result in raw sewage entering streams, which in turn can affect water supplies downstream.

Well water should be checked for coliform bacteria to see if it is at risk for contamination by sewage or fecal matter, which may contain viruses that can infect humans. 

If your water supply is contaminated with coliform bacteria, it may also be contaminated with other harmful organisms such as protozoa or worms, which can cause health problems such dysentery, vomiting and chronic diarrhea.

Viruses can be killed or deactivated by chlorination or boiling of water.

In most private well water systems and even some municipal water supplies, the water is not disinfected. Viruses can persist in non-disinfected water and infect humans.

Health Effects Associated with Viruses in Drinking Water

Enteric viruses are a type of virus that infects the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and are excreted in their feces.

One common type of virus that infects humans through drinking water is rotaviruses.

These viruses cause stomach flu (gastroenteritis), especially in children.

In fact, rotaviruses are the main cause of stomach flu in children and “traveler’s diarrhea” in adults.

 “Rotaviruses are the main cause of stomach flu in children and ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ in adults.”

Another common enteric virus that is spread through infected drinking water is Hepatitis A.

During the most contagious stage of this illness, the victim usually shows no sign of infection, making it difficult to prevent spreading the germs.

The virus is excreted from the infected person, then it is carried by water.

Hepatitis A causes inflammation of the liver, low energy, weakness, nausea, fever or jaundice.

Mild cases of Hepatitis A require rest for one or two weeks, and severe cases may cause liver damage or death.

Other common viruses that infect drinking water are noroviruses, which cause gastroenteritis, and enteroviruses, which cause polio and non-polio related diseases.

Most people with polio either do not get sick or experience minor symptoms, but permanent damage to muscle function in the legs or arms occurs in rare cases (the U.S. has been polio-free since 1979, but it still exists in some other parts of the world).

Non-polio enteroviruses are one of the largest sources of viral infections in humans.

Most infections do not result in symptoms, but people that do become ill from these viruses usually develop cold or flu-like symptoms.

Interesting fact: There are about one million virus particles in one milliliter of seawater.

For drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has set a maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for viruses of zero virus particles per 100 milliliter sample of municipal water.

The MCLG is the level at which no adverse health risks are likely to occur, with an adequate margin of safety, meaning that no virus particles should be present in the water.

How to Treat Drinking Water for Viruses

Problems with infected well water can often be fixed by taking measures to prevent surface water from contaminating the water supply, such as sealing a spring box or using a sanitary well cap.

Properly maintaining a septic system or controlling sources of animal waste near a well or spring may also help with the problem.

Boiling water at a rolling boil for one minute will safely kill all viruses and other infectious organisms, but this is not a good long-term solution because it is energy and labor intensive and only produces a small amount of water.

If the source of infection to the water supply cannot be controlled, drinking water contaminated with viruses and infectious organisms can be treated continuously by ultraviolet (UV) light, ozonation, or chlorination.

Ultraviolet disinfection works by killing viruses and other infectious organisms by exposing them to ultraviolet (UV) light. In this type of system, UV light kills viruses and other organisms by irradiating the water as it flows over a glass sleeve that contains the light source.

This method of disinfection consumes a small but significant amount of electricity.

It is important that the water be very clear so that the UV light can reach the viruses, so anything that would make the water less than perfectly clear (such as sediment or organic matter) must be filtered out before the water enters the light chamber.

Likewise, the glass sleeve enclosing the light source must also be kept clear of scale or other deposits that would block the light.

In contrast with UV, a chlorination system kills viruses and other microorganisms chemically.

This type of system continuously adds chlorine (in liquid or solid form) to the water through a feed system. Because sediment in the water could interfere with disinfection, a filter should be placed before the chlorine injector.

Chlorine is consumed as it kills viruses and other organisms in the water and also as it reacts with other impurities (such as iron or organic matter).

To ensure adequate disinfection, enough chlorine needs to be added so that there is a small amount left over after it is consumed.

However, this residual chlorine can affect the taste of the water, so it may be desirable to remove it before drinking.

Chlorination also requires a certain amount of contact time for it to kill microorganisms (usually 30 minutes).

This is why water is often stored in a large holding tank or run through a series of coiled pipes after being chlorinated.

Chlorine systems must be maintained to ensure that they function properly, and the chlorine supply must be replenished periodically.

Ozonation is similar to chlorination in that ozone is injected into the water and kills viruses and other organisms.

Ozone is an oxidizing gas that is produced using electricity and then injected into the water.

Ozonation systems are more costly than UV or chlorination systems, but they can treat water for multiple contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, iron and manganese.

Our company was created with the goal to provide clean drinking water along with best overall customer experience, and promote healthy lifestyle and clean water supply. We are happy to offer our customers best water testing and water purification products on the market at a guaranteed low price.

We are proud to be partnered with an ISO-9001 certified manufacturer where we have an ability to custom-build residential and commercial Water Filter Systems for most water problems. https://www.filterwater.com/t-viruses.aspx

You might also like:

.

An Ocean of Viruses

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/05/an-ocean-of-viruses-virus-is-very-tiny.html

 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Pestilence And Disease On A Global Scale

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/05/pestilence-and-disease-on-global-scale.html

CANCER VIRUSES - Worldwide, cancer viruses are estimated to cause 15 to 20 percent of all cancers in humans. Most viral infections, however, do not lead to tumor formation as several factors influence the progression from viral infection to cancer development. Some of these factors include the host's genetic makeup, mutation occurrence, exposure to cancer-causing agents, and immune impairment. Viruses typically initiate cancer development by suppressing the host's immune system, causing inflammation over a long period of time, or by altering host genes. Cancer cells have characteristics that differ from normal cells. They all acquire the ability to grow uncontrollably. This can result from having control of their own growth signals, losing sensitivity to anti-growth signals, and losing the ability to undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death. Cancer cells don't experience biological aging and maintain their ability to undergo cell division and growth. There are two classes of cancer viruses: DNA and RNA viruses. Several viruses have been linked to certain types of cancer in humans. These viruses have varying ways of replication and represent several different virus families. Transformation occurs when a virus infects and genetically alters a cell. The infected cell is regulated by the viral genes and has the ability to undergo abnormal new growth. Scientists have been able to discern some commonality among viruses that cause tumors. The tumor viruses change cells by integrating their genetic material with the host cell's DNA. Unlike the integration seen in prophages, this is a permanent insertion in that the genetic material is never removed.

.............................................................................................................................................................

Cancer Viruses

By Regina Bailey

Researchers have long attempted to elucidate the role that viruses play in causing cancer.

Worldwide, cancer viruses are estimated to cause 15 to 20 percent of all cancers in humans.

Most viral infections, however, do not lead to tumor formation as several factors influence the progression from viral infection to cancer development.

Some of these factors include the host's genetic makeup, mutation occurrence, exposure to cancer-causing agents, and immune impairment.

Viruses typically initiate cancer development by suppressing the host's immune system, causing inflammation over a long period of time, or by altering host genes.

Viruses and Cancer

Cancer cells have characteristics that differ from normal cells. They all acquire the ability to grow uncontrollably.

This can result from having control of their own growth signals, losing sensitivity to anti-growth signals, and losing the ability to undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death.

Cancer cells don't experience biological aging and maintain their ability to undergo cell division and growth.

Cancer Virus Classes

There are two classes of cancer viruses: DNA and RNA viruses.

Several viruses have been linked to certain types of cancer in humans. These viruses have varying ways of replication and represent several different virus families.

DNA Viruses

· The Epstein-Barr virus has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma. This virus infects B-cell lymphocytes of the immune system and epithelial cells. Burkitt's lymphoma is a form of lymphatic system cancer that impairs immunity.

· The hepatitis B virus has been linked to liver cancer in people with chronic infections. Chronic infections cause liver damage and disease (cirrhosis), which increases the chances of cancer development.

·  Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been linked to cervical cancer. They also cause warts and benign papillomas. HPVs are commonly transmitted through sexual activity, however, most infections don't lead to cancer.

·  Human herpes virus-8 has been linked to the development of Kaposi sarcoma. Kaposi sarcoma causes patches of abnormal tissue to develop in various area of the body including under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs.

·  Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is associated with Merkel-cell carcinoma (MCC). MCC is a rare form of skin cancer that is caused by a mutated form of the MCV found in cancerous Merkel cells. Merkel cells are deep epidermal cells involved in touch sensation.

RNA Viruses

·  Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I), a retrovirus, has been linked to T-cell leukemia. The virus is found in body fluids and can be transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, and from mother to fetus.

·  The hepatitis C virus has been linked to liver cancer in people with chronic infections.

Cancer Viruses and Cell Transformation

Transformation occurs when a virus infects and genetically alters a cell.

The infected cell is regulated by the viral genes and has the ability to undergo abnormal new growth.

Scientists have been able to discern some commonality among viruses that cause tumors.

The tumor viruses change cells by integrating their genetic material with the host cell's DNA.

Unlike the integration seen in prophages, this is a permanent insertion in that the genetic material is never removed.

The insertion mechanism can differ depending on whether the nucleic acid in the virus is DNA or RNA.

In DNA viruses, the genetic material can be directly inserted into the host's DNA. 

RNA viruses must first transcribe RNA to DNA and then insert the genetic material into the host cell's DNA.

Cancer Virus Treatment

Insight into the development and spread of cancer viruses has led scientists to focus on preventing potential cancer development by either preventing viral infection or by targeting and destroying the virus before it causes cancer.

Cells that are infected by viruses produce proteins called viral antigens which cause the cells to grow abnormally.

These antigens provide a means by which virus-infected cells can be distinguished from healthy cells.

As such, researchers are attempting to find therapies that would single out and destroy virus cells or cancerous cells while leaving non-infected cells alone.

Current cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, kill both cancerous and normal cells.

Vaccines have been developed against some cancer viruses including hepatitis B and human papillomaviruses (HPV) 16 and 18.

Multiple treatments are required and in the case of HPV 16 and 18, the vaccine does not protect against other forms of the virus.

The largest impediments to vaccination on a global scale appear to be treatment cost, multiple treatment requirements, and the lack of proper storage equipment for the vaccines.

Cancer Virus Research

Scientists and researchers are currently focusing on ways to use viruses to treat cancer. They are creating genetically modified viruses that specifically target cancer cells.

Some of these viruses infect and replicate in cancer cells, causing the cells to stop growing or shrink.

Other studies focus on using viruses to improve immune system response.

Some cancer cells produce certain molecules that prevent the host's immune system from recognizing them.

The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has been shown not only to destroy cancer cells but to halt their production of immune system inhibiting molecules.

Researchers have also been able to show that brain cancers can be treated with modified retroviruses.

As reported in Medical News Today, these therapeutic viruses can cross the blood-brain-barrier to infect and destroy cancerous brain cells.

They also function to enhance the immune system's ability to identify brain cancer cells.

Although human trials are underway concerning these types of virus therapies, further studies must be done before virus therapies can be used as a significant alternative cancer treatment.

Regina Bailey , RN

Biology Expert

Education

B.A., Biology, Emory University

A.S., Nursing, Chattahoochee Technical College

Introduction

Biology expert for ThoughtCo (formerly About Education) since 1997

Author of the forward to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Cloning

Experience

Regina is a board-certified registered nurse and owner of a content development firm specializing in the development of biology and science-related content. She has written about biology for ThoughtCo (formerly About Education) since 1997.

Regina's expertise has been featured and/or referenced in Kaplan AP Biology 2016, The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists, and The Seven Disciplines of Wellness: The Spiritual Connection to Good Health.

Regina also wrote the forward to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Cloning.

Education

Regina holds a B.A. in biology from Emory University and an A.S. in Nursing from Chattahoochee Technical College. 

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/cancer-viruses-373891