One reason why I hate eating out or buying foods or junks by the roadside is that the hygiene of the vendor is usually questionable.
Here in Nigeria, rain has been falling for a couple of days without sunshine. This is the season certain people do not bother sourcing for water in their respective homes. They can easily get water from the sloppy side of their homes, an abandoned reservoir that now receives rainwater.
There is definitely nothing wrong with receiving rainwater; it is rather unhygienic to receive rainwater in a dirty container. In my previous post, I mentioned that the rainy season is one period that allows the breeding of mosquitoes so also is this season known for transmitting some certain water-borne diseases.
Waterborne diseases are diseases that can be transmitted by water, and it can either by drinking, cooking or washing.
In today’s post, I will focus on Hepatitis A.
Perhaps, you are wondering if Hepatitis A is a water-borne disease. Hepatitis A is usually found in unsanitary surroundings or in water sources contaminated with faeces of an infected person. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection. Once the virus is ingested, it attacks the liver and causes jaundice.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort around your lower ribs
- Clay coloured bowel movements
- Loss of appetite
Causes of Hepatitis A
- Eating contaminated food
- Drinking contaminated water
- Sex with infected persons
Prevention
- There is hepatitis A vaccine, it is a two-shot vaccine. The second dose is taken after six months.
- Avoid eating foods from an untrusted source
- Drink clean water
- Promote your hygiene
- Rinse and Peel off the back of fruits before eating
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