Jaundice And Polluted Water: Is There A Link?

Jaundice is a liver problem that causes yellowing of the skin and whiteness of the eyes. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood and body tissues. While jaundice can be caused by diseases like malaria, hepatitis, and gallstones, it can also be caused by drinking contaminated water. In 2016, a severe jaundice outbreak in Shimla, India, was caused by the consumption of drinking water contaminated with sewage. This incident resulted in over 1600 infections and 16 casualties.

Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin

Jaundice is a yellowish staining of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment. Normal levels of bilirubin in the blood are below 1.0 mg/dL, while levels over 2-3 mg/dL typically result in jaundice.

Bilirubin is formed by the breakdown of heme rings, usually from metabolized red blood cells. The discoloration is usually detected once the serum bilirubin level rises above 3 mg/dL. However, the classic definition of jaundice is a serum bilirubin level of 2.5-3 mg/dL, along with yellow skin and sclera.

Jaundice can be caused by a malfunction in any of the three phases of bilirubin production. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia occurs when there is a derailment in the necessary bilirubin conjugation in the hepatocyte. This can happen before bilirubin enters the hepatocyte or within the liver cell. Excessive heme metabolism from hemolysis or the reabsorption of a large hematoma can result in significant increases in bilirubin, overwhelming the conjugation process and leading to unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Hemolytic anemias usually result in mild bilirubin elevation, about 5 mg/dL, with or without clinical jaundice. This condition is called hemolytic anemia, and it is one of the underlying conditions that may cause jaundice. Other underlying conditions include acute inflammation of the liver, inflammation of the bile duct, and obstruction of the bile duct.

Jaundice can also be caused by other diseases, such as malaria, hepatitis, and gallstones. In newborns, jaundice may be treated with phototherapy or exchanged transfusion, depending on age and prematurity when the bilirubin level is greater than 4-21 mg/dL.

Water pollution can cause liver infections leading to jaundice

Jaundice is a common liver problem that causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and body tissues. This can occur when red blood cells are broken down too early, overloading the spleen and leading to excess bilirubin production.

Water pollution can cause jaundice, as contaminated water sources can lead to liver infections. For instance, in 2016, a jaundice epidemic in Shimla, India, was caused by the consumption of drinking water contaminated with sewage. This resulted in over 1600 infections and 16 deaths. The outbreak was caused by a rise in fecal coliform concentrations in the drinking water, which can be indicative of harmful microorganisms or bacteria in the water supply.

Microbial loads in water supplies can be excessive, particularly during the wet season when there is more water for contaminants to infiltrate. This contaminated water can then cause liver infections, leading to jaundice. It is crucial to prevent the infiltration of municipal wastewater into water sources and to ensure proper wastewater disposal and purification of water for consumption or domestic use.

In addition to water pollution, jaundice can also be caused by other underlying conditions, such as gallstones, acute inflammation of the liver, hepatitis, or malaria. It can also be caused by certain bacterial diseases, such as Weil's disease, which is spread through contact with contaminated soil, water, or the urine of infected people. Therefore, maintaining clean water sources and proper sanitation practices is essential to preventing the spread of jaundice and other waterborne diseases.

Hepatitis A and E viruses, transmitted by the faeces-oral route, can cause jaundice

Jaundice is the most common of all liver problems. It is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood and body tissues. It can be caused by other diseases, including malaria, hepatitis, and gallstones.

Hepatitis A and E viruses, transmitted by the faecal-oral route, can cause jaundice. Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) found in the stool of infected people. It is transmitted primarily when an uninfected person ingests food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. This can happen when infected people do not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then touch or prepare food for others. Developing countries experience hepatitis A epidemics caused by drinking water contaminated with raw sewage.

Hepatitis E is similar to hepatitis A and is more prevalent in Asia and Africa. It is also transmitted through the faecal-oral route. It is generally not fatal, although it is more serious in pregnant women and can cause fetal complications. Hepatitis A and E usually resolve after a period of four to eight weeks of illness. They do not cause chronic hepatitis, and special treatment is usually unnecessary.

The risk of hepatitis A infection is associated with a lack of safe water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. Waterborne outbreaks are infrequent but are usually associated with sewage-contaminated or inadequately treated water. For instance, in 2016, a severe jaundice outbreak in Shimla, India, was caused by a rise in faecal coliform concentrations in drinking water.

Poor waste disposal and inadequate water supply management can lead to waterborne jaundice

Jaundice is a liver problem that causes the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and body tissues. While jaundice can be caused by diseases like malaria, hepatitis, and gallstones, it can also be waterborne.

Inadequate water supply management can also play a role in the spread of waterborne jaundice. When water distribution channels are contaminated, it can lead to the spread of the disease. In the case of the Shimla City outbreak, all water distribution channels were contaminated with opportunistic pathogens. While treatment reduced the contamination, the microbial load remained beyond the permitted limit. This resulted in a water crisis, as authorities had to halt the supply of drinking water from the polluted sources, which were the city's primary water sources.

To prevent waterborne jaundice, it is crucial to ensure proper waste disposal and wastewater treatment. This includes preventing the infiltration of municipal wastewater into water sources and implementing scientific disposal methods and purification processes for wastewater before it is consumed or used for other domestic functions. Additionally, maintaining the cleanliness of pipes and tanks that supply water and practicing good hygiene and sanitation, such as discarding or flushing stools with detergent and hot water, can help reduce the risk of waterborne jaundice.

Jaundice is caused by gallstones in the common bile duct

Jaundice is a common liver problem that causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood and body tissues. Bilirubin is a chemical produced when the body breaks down red blood cells.

Gallstones are a common cause of jaundice. They form when the bile contains too much bilirubin or too much cholesterol. Gallstones can block the bile ducts, causing an obstruction that leads to bile stasis and a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. This is known as cholestasis. The most common type of gallstone is a cholesterol gallstone, which appears yellow in colour and is composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol.

Gallstones can cause a blockage in the common bile duct, which can lead to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. This is known as choledocholithiasis. The gallstones may cause intermittent pain, known as biliary colic, as they move in and out of the duct. If the gallstones become stuck and grow large enough, they can cause a complete blockage. This can lead to serious complications such as infection, hepatic dysfunction, renal failure, nutritional deficiencies, bleeding problems, and long-term tissue damage.

Biliary obstruction, or cholangitis, caused by gallstones is a common condition that affects a large portion of the population worldwide. It can be diagnosed through blood tests and imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasounds and endoscopic ultrasounds. Treatment options are available, but the condition can be fatal if not treated promptly.

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