Cryptosporidium is a very common cause of water contamination. This parasite is carried in infected faeces and passed onto those who come into contact with it, for example in swimming pool water.
The parasite mainly spreads to other people through accidental ingestion. This can happen if you eat contaminated food, or drink contaminated water. The largest outbreaks of cryptosporidium have occurred when drinking water becomes contaminated with raw sewage.
Swimming in infected water can also cause transmission. Both swimming pools and natural bodies of water can contain cryptosporidium organisms.
Cryptosporidium has an incubation period of between two and 10 days, which means if you've been infected it might take over a week for symptoms to show. Some holidaymakers who catch an infection abroad, for example from the hotel swimming pool, don’t show symptoms until they’ve come home. Our expert team can help you work out where the water contamination took place, even if you're not sure, and who is responsible. We can represent you whether you became ill in the UK or abroad.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria are commonly found in soil and water. Although this form of bacteria is generally harmless to most, it can have debilitating effects on those with weakened immune systems, or pre-existing lung conditions. To help avoid the build-up of bacteria in water systems, routine flushing and the removal of dead legs is crucial to avoid stagnant water where bacteria can grow.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria can be ingested through infected drinking water or inhaled through aerosolised droplets of infected water, for example from showers or hot tubs.
The incubation period for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria varies depending on the species of the bacteria. However, our expert team can help you work out where the infection took place, even if you're not sure, and who is responsible.
Giardia
Giardia is commonly contracted through drinking water infected with faeces from infected animals or individuals. This can occur in lakes, rivers, and poorly treated water supplies. It can also be contracted from direct contact with an infected person, or through food washed in contaminated water, or handled by someone who’s infected.
Symptoms usually arise seven to 10 days after exposure to Giardia, but it can be as short as three days or as long as 25 days. Our expert team can help you work out where the water contamination took place, even if you're not sure, and who’s responsible. We can represent you whether you became ill in the UK or abroad.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly passed on through the urine of infected animals, primarily rodents, dogs, and cattle. It’s commonly contracted through contact with contaminated water or soil, for example during freshwater swimming in lakes or rivers. You could become infected through contaminated water coming into contact with your mouth or eyes, or cuts or abrasions on the skin.
Symptoms include a high fever, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, and redness to the white part of your eyes. In more serious cases, it can develop into a condition known as Weil’s Disease, which can impact your kidneys, lungs and in some cases cause jaundice.
You should contact your GP or call 111 if you develop symptoms and treatment is likely to include antibiotics.
The time it takes to develop symptoms is commonly between seven to 14 days after infection, though rarely the incubation period can be as short as two to three days or as long as 30 days. Our expert team can help you work out where the infection took place, even if you're not sure, and who’s responsible.
If you think you’ve contracted any of these infections from contaminated water, contact our specialist contaminated water lawyers for a free initial consultation.
