Can you get sick from swallowing lake water??

Question

my friend's brother was in the hospital today from what she said was swallowing to much lake water. he was throwing up a lot and they covered him with a lot of blankets and kept taking his temperature. so i just wondered if there was a name for what sickness he had!? does anyone know?

Answer 1

There are all kinds of baterias and parasites in outdoor water sources. Mountain streams commonly have giardia from animal feces. It is a parasite which can make people really sick.

Here is a link on giardia if you would like to know more:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm

Answer 2

I don't have the answer but I think I have been sick with the very same thing, swallowing water from swimming in a lake.
I have had severe vomitting and abdominal pain with constipation for 3 days. I still feel queezy and can't eat since Tuesday. I have also been running a fever as well. I am weak and have no energy to do anything. Its been horrible and the sickest I have ever been in the summer. I hope he gets well soon. I feel sorry for him. Its awful and you never want to go through it. You just want to sleep all the time.
God Bless you!!!! Julie

Answer 3

I don't know exactly, but he could have swallowed protozoans or some kind of parasites.

An amoeba is a protozoan; I heard of people getting infected with them and having terrible diarrhea (amoebic dysentery). It might be something like that.

Answer 4

It is possible. You never know what bacteria is in the water... You can't really name the sickness,without testing to find out what kind of bacteria is making him ill.

Answer 5

My guess would be E.coli or Giardiasis - "beaver fever". there are other enteric infections like Cryptosporosis (sp).

Answer 6

i dont think so??that happen to me too i was throwing up for almost a week he should go 2the doctor

Answer 7

if there is harmful bacteria then yes! you can.