Flood Water Diseases

After a flood occurs, certain diseases arise because of the stagnant cold water. Know how to protect your personal health and safety, as well as that of your family. During the winter and in early spring, it is of the utmost importance to know the health risks that exposure to cold weather and cold water can bring.

Bacteria and Parasites

• Stagnant water holds many risks. Flooded septic systems release dangerous bacteria like E. coli. Because contaminated water can splash into your mouth and eyes, you are at risk of developing the bacterial disease E. coli, or a parasitic infection like giardia or cryptosporidosis. Your hands can become contaminated as well. If you have a small scratch, you can get tetanus because of the contaminated water.

Mold

• Mold from floods leads to severe allergic reactions and possible death due to respiratory seizures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mold begins growing in only 24 hours.

Hypothermia

• Standing or working in water that is colder than 75 degrees Fahrenheit removes heat from your body more rapidly than it can be replaced. This results in hypothermia. To lessen your risk of hypothermia, wear high rubber boots, make sure that your clothing and boots have enough insulation, do not work alone, take numerous breaks from being in the water, and change your clothes whenever it is possible.

Trench Foot

• Trench foot, also called immersion foot, happens when the feet are wet for long periods of time. It is often painful, but it can be prevented and treated. Symptoms of trench foot include tingling, pain, inflammation, cold skin, numbness and a heavy feeling in your foot. Even after the feet warm up, they may be red, dry and painful.

  Prevent trench foot by air drying your feet and elevating them. Also, replace wet shoes and socks with dry ones. Check your feet at a minimum of once a day for infections or worsening of symptoms.