Public tap water in the United States is regulated and usually safe to drink. However, sometimes tap water gets contaminated with germs that can make you sick. Contact your drinking water utility or health department if you think your tap water is contaminated with germs.
While the CDC confirms that the US has one of the safest public water systems in the world, it's still possible to get sick from tap water. The presence of e. Coli or salmonella bacteria in the water you ingest can give you flu-like symptoms that include stomach cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Various pollutants in tap water can trigger or amplify allergic reactions. Consuming or merely contacting these pollutants can lead to symptoms ranging from minor skin irritations to serious respiratory problems.
But it's not necessary to seek medical help if you're otherwise healthy, aren't running a high fever and are able to take in fluids, he says. Most illnesses related to water-borne pathogens go away on their own within 24 to 48 hours.
If you believe that your drinking water is causing illness, you should consult a doctor and contact your water company in the first instance. Your water company may come to your property and take some water quality samples. To find your local water supplier, visit the Water UK website.
Symptoms of Illness Caused by Water Contamination
If you suspect that you have been exposed to contaminated water and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention: Nausea. Diarrhea. Gastrointestinal issues.
Stomach ache can be caused by drinking tap and well water that is not properly sanitized. The unprocessed water may contain viruses, bacteria, or other contaminants which cause viral gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach, small and large intestines.
However, while it's generally safe for drinking, tap water is not sterile, and there are a few situations in which using water straight from the faucet could endanger your health, according to experts and a CDC report published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Drinking chlorinated tap water may alter gut bacterial composition. A recent study by Drs. Georg Wondrak and Frank Duca explored the effects of drinking chlorinated water on mouse gut microbiota. Their findings revealed a decline in fecal microbiota diversity and notable shifts in fecal bacterial composition.
Specific contaminants that commonly find their way into tap water can be potential contaminant triggers for allergic responses. These contaminants can lead to skin irritations, respiratory problems, and other allergic reactions when consumed or even when they come into contact with the skin.
1. Water. Aquagenic urticaria is a rare condition that causes itchy and painful hives to break out whenever the sufferer comes into contact with water. These hives occur as a result of the body's mast cells releasing histamine, which creates the hives.
Key Takeaways. Stomach pain after drinking water is relatively common and can occur for a variety of reasons, including habits like drinking water too fast, drinking water that's too cold, or chugging too much at once.
As a result, water moves into your body's cells and causes them to swell. When you get too much water in your brain cells, it increases pressure on your brain and affects how it works. This leads to changes in your awareness, movement and behavior (altered mental status).
The good news is that hard water generally isn't a health concern. It may not be the best option to clean with, but you can usually drink it without worrying about safety. However, it can impact your well-being in other ways through negative effects on your hair, skin and nails.
Add to that the risk of heavy metals, pesticides and other industrial pollutants that commonly enter municipal water supplies (at least in traces), and the combination might be a major factor in the frequency and severity of your migraine attacks.
If drinking water contains unsafe levels of contaminants, it can cause health effects, such as gastrointestinal illnesses, nervous system or reproductive effects, and chronic diseases such as cancer.
While boiling water eliminates bacteria in the water, it does not make the tap water pure. Water can contain other contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides, fertilisers, industrial chemicals, hormones, medications, heavy metals and neurotoxic microorganisms which are not removed through boiling water.
Studies have found contaminants, including microplastics, in up to 78 percent of bottled-water samples. Microplastic contamination has been associated with a range of health issues, including oxidative stress, immune system disruption, and changes in blood fat levels.
Fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and industrial chemicals can end up in drinking water sources. If ingested in excessive amounts, they can cause nausea and other health problems. It is a wise choice to invest in a reverse osmosis system to ensure the water that you drink is clean and safe.
What are the symptoms of water-borne illness? Symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and possible jaundice and associated headaches and fatigue. Symptoms may appear as early as a few hours to several days after infection and may last more than two weeks.
What if I accidentally drank tap water before I learned about the Precautionary Boil Water Notice? If this happens, don't panic. The chances of becoming ill are slim. See your doctor if you experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps.
Symptoms of Waterborne Illness
The incubation period (the time between exposure to the pathogen and onset of symptoms) may begin within hours after being exposed or may begin days later.
Boiling is a traditional method of water purification that is still commonly used by a lot of people. This is a simple yet effective process that involves heating water at a high temperature (100°C) for some time. It kills most of the pathogenic organisms, including viruses and bacteria, present in water.