Diseases Caused by Improper Healthcare Waste Disposal
Identifying the health risks and disease outbreaks linked to inadequate healthcare waste management
9/29/2024
Many people are unaware of the unfavorable consequences of medical waste. Medical waste can be harmful to people's health if it is not handled correctly. It can cause cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, physical harm, and even deadly infections.
An individual can become infected in four main ways: through the skin, through mucous, through the membranes in their eyes, and through the nose and mouth. Thus, the difficulties associated with medical waste have grown in importance.
Below, we’ll talk about some of the most common diseases that can be caused by improper disposal of healthcare waste!
1. Hepatitis B
A viral infection known as hepatitis B can result in cirrhosis, liver cancer, and both acute and chronic hepatitis. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice are among the symptoms. Similar to the AIDS virus, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can spread through contact. The most dangerous situation is getting cut by a contaminated sharp object.
2. Typhoid
Patients and medical personnel may contract Salmonella typhi from blood and bodily fluids in hospitals with poorly maintained sewage systems. Typhoid is caused by this bacteria and is characterized by a high fever that, if untreated, can last for weeks. It usually gets worse over the course of a few days.
3. Tickborne Fevers
When rodents infest poorly managed fills and dumping grounds, pathogenic Borrelia spp. organisms may also be present. Tickborne fevers, which are typified by high fever, headaches, and aches in the muscles and joints, may result from it.