Can Raw Sewage In Your Crawl Space Make You Sick?

 

The simple answer is yes, raw sewage in your crawl space can make you sick. However, the topic must be elaborated on so that homeowners will truly see the dangers of allowing the substance to remain in their crawl spaces.

Sewage or sewage-contaminated water can cause these five following diseases…

 

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the Giardia lamblia parasite. The condition is also commonly referred to as Giardia or Beaver Fever and is rare, with around 200,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Some people experience no symptoms with Giardiasis, while others get upset stomach, diarrhea, stomach cramps, etc.

Hepatitis A

A highly contagious liver infection, Hepatitis A, can be caught via raw sewage. Adults and children can obtain this sickness, but adults are more likely to display symptoms than kids. Fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, and fatigue are all common indicators of Hepatitis A.

Campylobacteriosis

The CDC estimates that Campylobacter or Campylobacteriosis is the top cause of bacterial diarrheal illness across the U.S. This illness comes about in different ways. However, the topic today is “Can raw sewage in your crawl space make you sick,” so let’s focus on that. The New York State Department of Health says the infected will continue to pass the bacteria in feces for a few days, a week, or more.

Encephalitis

St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Encephalitis are inflammatory viral diseases. People contract these ailments by getting bitten by mosquitoes. Culex is one species that is a known carrier of encephalitis. They often lay their eggs in polluted waters, such as those containing sewage. Therefore, if you leave your crawl space full of sewer, that may put you and your family at a greater risk of getting sick.

Encephalitis is also regularly referred to as meningoencephalitis. This condition is very rare in the United States, as there are fewer than 20,000 diagnosed cases across the country each year. More often than not, healthcare providers recommend people receive urgent medical care following an encephalitis diagnosis. That’s because the condition can be dangerous and life-threatening when left untreated.

Leptospirosis

The Indiana Department of Health says Leptospirosis is another disease that can enter the picture because of raw sewage. A bacteria of the genus Leptospira is responsible for the illness. As with various ailments, some individuals do not experience any symptoms with leptospirosis or Weil’s disease.

Meanwhile, others encounter severe headache, chills, muscle aches, fever, and more. Leptospirosis should never be left untreated. That is due to the fact that it could potentially cause:

• Meningitis
• Liver Failure
• Kidney Damage
• Respiratory Distress
• Death

Some Final Thoughts About the Need to Remove Sewage From Your Crawlspace

Can raw sewage in your crawl space make you sick? As this information shows, raw sewage in a crawl space can absolutely make you ill.

So, if liquid and solid waste collects beneath your home, fix the situation promptly to ensure none of the five health-related dilemmas mentioned here become your realities.