People may experience serious health effects if exposed to water or sand contaminated with these pathogens. Direct Health Effects People can come into contact with dangerous viruses, bacteria, and protozoa from sewage in the lake. Gastroenteritis is the illness most commonly associated with swimming in water contaminated by sewage. Symptoms associated with gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache, and fever. Viruses are believed to be the major cause of swimming-associated illnesses, which include gastroenteritis, hepatitis, respiratory illness, and ear, nose, and throat problems.
Bacterial pathogens can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, headache, and fever.
Other microbial pathogens, such as amoeba, can cause giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, skin rashes, and pink eye. Highly polluted water can cause more serious illnesses such as hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever. Eating food and drinking water contaminated with e. coli has led to fatalities in some cases. Secondary Health Effects Extra chlorine is often added to drinking water to safeguard against intentional sewage releases. Chlorine can combine with organic matter in water to create toxic compounds, such as chloroform, a known carcinogen.