Is Serratia in Tap Water Linked to My Illness?
Hi there. I'm a 20-year-old female. I don’t indulge in smoking or drinking alcohol. For several years, I've been consistently taking an SSRI without complications. Right now, I'm also on a regimen that includes Pepsid and a high dose of omeprazole, alongside Tylenol, to address my current health concerns. For the past four months, I've been feeling unwell. My symptoms began just before my apartment move, and they include diarrhea, chills, heart palpitations, nausea, heartburn, severe stomach cramps, and overall fatigue. I've been admitted to the hospital four times, undergone four CT scans, a colonoscopy, and an endoscopy. The doctors diagnosed me with epiploic appendagitis, which remains unresolved, and during the endoscopy, they discovered stomach erosions; I’m now waiting for the biopsy results. Interestingly, one of my roommates has recently experienced nausea and cramping as well, though to a lesser extent. They have not yet been able to identify the cause, but their symptoms have only persisted for two weeks. I have a suspicion that I might be dealing with Crohn's disease, but my mother is concerned that our water supply could be a contributing factor. During my cleaning today, I scrubbed the faucet area where the water flows, and it revealed a pinkish residue, which I suspect might be Serratia. I treated it with bleach. Could the presence of Serratia or another contaminant in our water be responsible for these health issues? We reside in a relatively new apartment complex. Is this a genuine concern or merely a coincidence? I should mention that there was a period of about two weeks where I only consumed limited amounts of water, sticking mainly to Gatorade; unfortunately, I didn’t notice any improvement during that time. Despite that, I continued to use tap water for cleaning dishes, brushing my teeth, and boiling food.
Answers (1)
8/25/2025, 4:02:10 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your health and the potential impact that your living environment, including water quality, may have on your symptoms. Symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue, coupled with your significant medical history, warrant a careful look into possible causes.
Main Points:
- Serratia and Water Quality: Serratia is a type of bacteria that can occasionally contaminate water and may cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but it’s not a common source of widespread illness in healthy individuals.
- Potential Water Quality Concerns: Since you mentioned a pinkish residue and a roommate's similar symptoms, your concerns about water quality are valid but may not be the sole cause of your discomfort.
Understanding Your Condition
- Serratia: While Serratia can lead to infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, it’s less likely to cause chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. Most healthy people can tolerate small amounts without serious illness.
- Your Symptoms: Your mixture of symptoms may relate more to your diagnosed conditions (like epiploic appendagitis and stomach erosions) or could be an undiagnosed condition, including Crohn’s disease.
Next Steps
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Water Testing: If you suspect contamination, it's advisable to have your tap water tested for bacteria and contaminants. Contact your local health department or a professional water testing service for assistance.
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a log of your symptoms, especially in correlation with your water intake and any changes you make, such as switching to bottled water temporarily to check for symptom improvement.
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Personal Hygiene: Continue to cleanse areas where there is visible water residue. You’ve initially treated it with bleach, which is good. Ensure your faucet and any water-using appliances are regularly cleaned.
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Isolation Practices: Until you can verify your water quality, consider using bottled water for drinking and food preparation. This could help you determine if water quality is contributing to your symptoms.
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Follow-Up on Medical Issues: Stay in close contact with your healthcare provider regarding your hospital admissions and the ongoing tests related to your conditions. Ensure you communicate all your symptoms, any changes, and your concerns regarding water quality.
By taking these steps, you can address the immediate concerns of potential contamination while also continuing to seek solutions for your ongoing health issues. If new symptoms arise, or if your current symptoms worsen, please prioritize seeking further medical advice.
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