Is it true you can get a parasite from drinking water?

Question

My cousin is getting chealation treatments for this, I've never heard of such a thing. Does anybody know?

Answer 1

Yes of course.

Answer 2

Parasites are the most frequently identified cause of waterborne diseases in the United States.
Giardia and Cryptosporidium are microscopic parasites that can be found in water. Giardia causes an intestinal illness called giardiasis or "beaver fever." Cryptosporidium is responsible for a similar illness called cryptosporidiosis.
Both parasites produce cysts that are very resistant to harsh environmental conditions. When ingested, they germinate, reproduce, and cause illness. After feeding, the parasites form new cysts, which are then passed in the faeces. Studies with human volunteers have shown that ingestion of only a few cysts will cause illness.
What are the symptoms?

Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, gas, malaise, and weight loss are the most common symptoms caused by Giardia. Vomiting, chills, headache, and fever may also occur. These symptoms usually surface six to 16 days after the initial contact and can continue as long as one month.

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis are similar; the most common include watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and headaches. These symptoms occur within two to 25 days of infection and usually last one or two weeks; in some cases they stick around for up to a month.

How are infections treated?

Giardia is usually cleared from healthy people without treatment within a month. Anti-parasitic drugs are available and are particularly helpful for immunocompromised people in whom the illness could otherwise develop into a persistent state.

Cryptosporidium will also usually disappear from healthy people within a month without treatment. Anti-diarrhoeal drugs and rehydration therapy may be used if diarrhoea becomes severe. No drugs to fight the illness have been approved, though many are now being tested.

Chelation therapy is administering a man-made amino acid called EDTA into the veins. (EDTA is an abbreviation for ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. It’s marketed under several names, including Edetate, Disodium, Endrate, and Sodium Versenate.) EDTA is most often used in cases of heavy metal poisoning (lead or mercury). That’s because it can latch onto or bind these metals, creating a compound that can be excreted in the urine.
EDTA isn’t totally safe as a drug. There’s a real danger of kidney failure. (renal tubular necrosis). EDTA can also cause bone marrow depression, shock, low blood pressure (hypotension), convulsions, disturbances of regular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmias), allergic-type reactions and respiratory arrest.

Answer 3

Yes, you can get parasites from drinking water. More commonly from streams, lakes, untreated, or contaminated water.

What parasite is your cousin being treated for?

If I recall correctly, chelation treatments are often used to treat heavy metal disorders, such as lead.

Answer 4

Yes... I knew 2 people who stopped at a reststop along a highway in Missouri.. They drank some water from a drinking fountain in the park... They both got parasites from the water and they were deathly ill... They were both bedridden for 6 weeks, so weak they could not get up and walk across the room.. very sick vomiting and the other end also. Neither one could work and one almost died from it.... You can go to Mexico and brush your teeth in their water and you can get a parasite and almost be dead in 24hours.. Its very serious and I hope your cousin recovers ok

Answer 5

yeah you can get a parasite, I got one in costa rica from unpurified drinking water (pretty much anything out of the tap, the locals have grown up with it and have a tolerance to whatever is in the water, but travelers don't have that tolerance and can get pretty sick), you usually hear about parasites from water in relation to drinking water in other countries, that's why they always tell you to buy bottled water in certain countries (mainly third world or less developed).

Answer 6

Yes, try using a good water filter. If not purchase a regular filter to fit the top of the water spout. Should look like a miniature strainer.

Answer 7

You can, but it is usually from drinking contaminated water....even water that looks very clean, like in the mountains, can carry parasites. Good luck!

Answer 8

yes! my father and someone else in my area got one it was horrible because they just thought they had a flu bug or something so they both held off and they got really really sick. they are both fine now though tg:)
another friend of the family also had one and his damage is permanent and will continue to worsen it has similar effects as ms.

Answer 9

From the rivers in the western US. But not from tap water.

Answer 10

Yes.