Waterborne diseases are rising: Doctor shares 8 simple habits to stay safe

Waterborne diseases are rising. Most infections start at home — through water, ice, unwashed hands and food prep. Here are everyday habits that keep your family safe. (Image: Pexels)

• Waterborne diseases are rising due to poor water management and climate change
• Contaminated water can infect via food, utensils, bathing, and brushing teeth
• Boiling/filtering water, hand hygiene, and safe food practices prevent infection.

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Waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis are increasingly on the rise with Infected water is still the main catch of these infections. Climate change backed up sewage systems and poor water management have also driven higher levels of exposure.

While a lot of people think that waterborne diseases can only strike if dirty water is consumed, this is not the case as per Dr Ankit Verma, senior public health physician at Nidan Global. Infection occurs through ingestion of contaminated food, ice, unwashed hands and inadequately cleaned utensils, but even though bathing and teeth brushing can infect the virus if done with contaminated water. Children, elderly people and individuals with weakened immunity are particularly at risk.

What’s most concerning to physicians is that many of these diseases can be avoided through simple, daily habits as prevention does not require costly solutions — it calls for routine and self-awareness.

Also Read: Why doctors fear Indore’s water crisis could cause long-term nervous system damage

Boiled or properly filtered water to be consumed always

The practice of consuming untreated water is one of the major risk factors for waterborne diseases. Heating water to a rolling boil for at least five minutes or treating it with a certified water purifier will kill dangerous bacteria, viruses and parasites. Dr Verma points out that water that looks clear can be contaminated and undrinkable as well.

Wash Hands Thoroughly and Frequently

Hand hygiene is an integral aspect of infection control. Before you eat anything, use soap and water to wash your hands, after you go to the bathroom, and after handling raw food. Dirty hands are a simple but underestimated source of disease transmission in water-exposed populations, Dr Verma said.

Don’t eat raw or exposed street food

Many a times uncooked fruits, salads, diced fruits and open food from street are washed or prepared with the contaminated water. According to Dr Verma, opt for freshly cooked, hot food and avoid ice, chutneys and raw garnishes particularly in monsoon and summer months when the incidence of infections are high.

Wash Cookware and Kitchen Countertops Thoroughly

Germs can be reintroduced into food from washing dishes with dirty water. According to Dr. Verma, you should wash utensils with water and soap before air-drying them. Make sure that kitchen counters, cutting boards and cloths are disinfected on a regular basis to avoid the buildup of bacteria and cross-contamination.

Store Drinking Water Safely

And if you handle it incorrectly, even water that is boiled or filtered can become contaminated. Use only clean, covered containers with small openings. Dr Verma also advises against reaching hands or cups into storage vessels, since that introduces bacteria and cancels out previous purification efforts.

Maintain Bathroom and Drain Hygiene

Dirty water pollution also causes bacteria to grow and spread due to lack of sanitation. Frequently disinfect toilets, drains and wash areas. Leaking sewage lines near water pipelines are also a major contributing factor to the risk of contamination in water and spread of diseases, according to Dr Verma.

Brush and bathe with Safe Water

For many people, safe water is something taken for granted and overlooked in daily exchanges of hygiene consciousness. You should clean with boiled or filtered water, especially for children and the elderly because if they inadvertently ingest during rinsing it can cause infection.

Also Read: Waterborne diseases: 8 tips to protect yourself from water-related disease

Vaccinate, Seek Medical Care Early

Vaccines for illnesses such as typhoid and hepatitis A offer extra protection. According to Dr. Verma, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain that doesn't go away should never be ignored. Early recognition avoids complications and reduces community transmission.

Waterborne diseases are preventable. But clean water, hygiene education and prompt medical treatment are the most powerful protections against infections that are still silently on the increase each year.

FAQs on Waterborne Diseases

How can waterborne diseases be prevented?

Simple habits such as consuming boiled or properly filtered water, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding raw or exposed street food, and ensuring clean cookware and kitchen countertops can prevent these diseases.

What should be avoided in terms of food?

Avoid uncooked fruits, salads, diced fruits, and open street food, especially during monsoon and summer months when infections are high. Opt for freshly cooked, hot food and avoid ice, chutneys, and raw garnishes.

How should drinking water be stored?

Store drinking water in clean, covered containers with small openings. Avoid reaching hands or cups into storage vessels to prevent contamination.

Are there vaccines available for waterborne diseases?

Vaccines for illnesses such as typhoid and hepatitis A offer extra protection. Seek medical care early if experiencing symptoms like fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, or abdominal pain to avoid complications and reduce community transmission.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.