Diseases and Disorders due to Poor Sanitation

• The common cold


  Locally known as sipon. A virus causes it. Crowded areas with poor airflow or ventilation predispose us to catch a cold.
• Allergic rhinitis


  Causes a runny nose similar to a cold. Pathogens do not cause this disease but allergens and contaminants in the air.
• Asthma


  A lung disorder that causes difficulty in breathing. Allergens trigger the onset of this disease
• Pneumonia


  Characterized by frequent coughing, high fever, and difficulty breathing
• Skin Diseases


  • Usually result from direct skin-to-skin contact with pathogens or allergens
• Skin infection


  Often bacterial in nature. Starts as an itchy patch that swells when scratched. Worse, it can become an open skin sore
• Allergic dermatitis


  Acquired through direct contact with an allergen, itchy with continuous scratching leading to skin infection
• Scabies


  Locally known as 'kurikong', caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei that thrives in dirty places. It is characterized by itchy papules that get worse at night. With continuous scratching, it can lead to skin infection
• Gastrointestinal diseases result from eating dirty or contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, unsanitary preparation and storage of food and water may result in the outbreak of these illnesses
• Dysentery


  Inflammation of the large intestine, usually the colon. Severe diarrhea and pain in the lower abdomen accompany this illness.
• Typhoid fever


  Caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Diarrhea, fever with a headache, and abdominal pain are the common symptoms of this disease.
• Cholera


  A fatal illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, characterized by explosive diarrhea, severe dehydration, and other complications
• Nuerological Impairment - exposure to hazardous waste can cause illnesses in the nervous system
• Lead poisoning


  Happens when there is a buildup of lead in the body, may present itself in the form of seizure, developmental delay, or learning difficulties
• Mercury poisoning


  Happens when a person is exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish or shellfish or from burning fuels, symptoms include anxiety, memory loss, muscle weakness, numbness, and poor body coordination