Need Plumbing Service? Diseases Associated With Raw Sewage Exposure | San Antonio, TX
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There are many things in life that we take for granted until they stop working. Your plumbing and sewer system are very convenient but can cause lots of hassle if they aren’t working correctly. Before proper plumbing and sanitation were invented, wastewater and sewage flowed through the streets, causing illnesses to spread. While modern plumbing has reduced the spread of these diseases, if you have plumbing problems such as backup from a toilet or a septic tank that isn’t working as it should, you and your family could be at risk of sewage exposure.
If you live in San Antonio, TX, or the surrounding area and are looking for a plumbing service, you may like to call bluefrog Plumbing and Drain. The service is available to deal with all plumbing issues, including leak detection, drain cleaning, and fixing blocked toilets. They also provide an emergency call-out service.
This article will look at the historic sewer system and the diseases that people were exposed to by being in contact with raw sewage. We’ll also discuss whether you can be at risk from sewage in modern times and tell you when to call in a plumbing service.
Disease Caused By the Historic Sewer System
During the 16th-century, it was common to be exposed to several diseases that have been eradicated today across much of the western world. Cities were places with contrasting smells; large markets were filled with delicious aromas such as freshly baked bread. There would also have been roadside trenches that carried human waste away from the city. People had to watch where they were walking, and, in some cases, human waste was also thrown out of apartment windows into the street.
The general public suffered a lot due to the primitive sewer systems. In medieval times a large number of people across Europe died from preventable diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever. These diseases were spread by drinking water that was contaminated.
Sewage Exposure in the Modern World
Today most homes are connected to a centralized sewer system where wastewater and human waste are treated and disposed of. Many homes in rural areas have their own septic tank systems to deal with waste. Wherever you live, your waste will be dealt with, and water treatment plants will clean the water to ensure everyone has clean drinking water.
However, that doesn’t mean that raw sewage no longer causes problems or that no one is ever exposed to sewage. Like all human-made systems, sewers and toilets do sometimes have issues and can stop working. When this happens, people are occasionally exposed to raw sewage, which puts their health at risk.
There are a few different ways that people can be exposed to sewage today. The most common include an overflowing toilet or septic tank or back up from the toilet, sink drains or bathtub. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, call a plumbing service as soon as possible.
Overflowing toilet
When a toilet becomes clogged, it can quickly overflow if the blockage isn’t removed. It’s best to call a plumbing service as soon as possible if you begin having problems with your toilet. Toilets often get blocked if you flush unsuitable items down the toilet, including hair, q tips, sanitary items, or diapers. These items can cause a blockage to form, which could back up into your bathroom, putting you in contact with raw sewage if not quickly dealt with.
Septic tank Overflowing
If you live in a rural area that isn’t connected to the main sewer system, you’ll have your own septic tank in your garden. You should ensure that the septic tank is emptied regularly and kept in good working order; otherwise, you and your family may be at risk of sewage exposure.
Septic tanks collect a mixture of wastewater and human waste, and being exposed to these things can be a health risk. Sometimes septic tanks overflow if the pipes leading to them become blocked or if the tank is damaged. Septic tanks and piping can be damaged if a vehicle drives over it or if tree roots grow against the tank or pipes and cause cracks.
Back-up in sinks or bathtubs
If there’s a blockage in the pipes that lead to your sink or bathtub, these may overflow. Backup of sewer water can be harmful to your health. A professional plumbing service will be able to quickly deal with the problem.
Back-up in floor drains
If there has been heavy rainfall, your sewer system may become overwhelmed, and this can cause wastewater to back up into your home. When drains develop problems, you’re first likely to notice it in the lowest drain in your house. Your basement floor drain is the most likely to start to back up.
Diseases Caused by Exposure to Sewage
Exposure to sewage can cause sickness and diarrhea. Here are some of the most common illnesses and their symptoms. If you or your family are suffering from any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible. It would also be a good idea to call in a professional plumbing service.
Campylobacteriosis
Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis include a fever as well as stomach problems. Bloody diarrhea is common, and so is abdominal pain and cramps, and vomiting.
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a similar waterborne disease that will cause a slight fever and an upset stomach.
E. coli
E. coli is a bacterium that is found in drinking water that’s contaminated with human waste. The illness causes a fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, as well as sickness.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that’s contracted by ingesting infected fecal matter or drinking contaminated water. The symptoms of Hepatitis A include a fever, fatigue, stomach pain, and a loss of appetite. Many people also suffer from jaundice, as well as nausea and diarrhea.
Salmonellosis
This disease is caused by exposure to Salmonella. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
bluefrog Plumbing and Drain, Plumbing Service
If you’re searching for a plumbing service in San Antonio, TX or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to contact bluefrog Plumbing and Drain. The plumbing service is an A+ BBB accredited business as well as a top-rated Home Advisor company.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio today on 210-876-1629.
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