Waterborne Diseases That Can Be Fatal: Cholera, Typhoid & More

Severe water pollution can cause life-threatening illnesses:

1. Cholera – profuse watery diarrhea → fatal dehydration if untreated.
2. Typhoid fever – systemic Salmonella Typhi infection → intestinal perforation, hemorrhage.
3. Dysentery (Shigella, Entamoeba) – bloody diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition.
4. Severe gastroenteritis – especially dangerous in children and immunocompromised.
5. Leptospirosis – renal/liver failure, pulmonary hemorrhage.
6. Hepatitis A/E – acute liver failure in rare cases.

Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is the cornerstone of prevention.