The short answer
Common Illnesses from Sewage
Sewage contains human waste, chemicals, and microbes. When it backs up into your home, those germs spread onto floors, walls, and belongings. Touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in fine droplets can make you ill. Symptoms often appear within hours or days.
The most common illnesses are stomach problems like diarrhea, vomiting, and cramping. Hepatitis A, a liver infection, spreads through contaminated food or water. Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, can cause fever, headache, and muscle pain. Skin contact may lead to rashes or infected cuts.
- Gastroenteritis from E. Coli, Salmonella, or norovirus
- Hepatitis A from fecal-oral contact
- Leptospirosis from contaminated water
- Tetanus if you have an open wound
- Skin infections from bacteria like Staphylococcus
How Germs Enter Your Body
Germs get in through your mouth, nose, eyes, or broken skin. You might touch a wet carpet and then eat without washing your hands. Children and pets are especially at risk because they put things in their mouths. Breathing in mist from contaminated water can also carry bacteria into your lungs.
Open cuts or scrapes are direct entry points. Even a small scratch can let bacteria like tetanus into your body. That is why you should wear rubber boots and gloves if you enter a flooded area. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water after any contact.
- Hands to mouth after touching contaminated items
- Inhaling droplets from splashing water
- Open wounds or sores touching floodwater
- Eating food or drinking water that touched sewage
Protect Yourself During Cleanup
Before you start, turn off power to the affected rooms if safe. Open windows to increase airflow. Wear waterproof boots, heavy gloves, and a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Avoid touching your face and wash your hands often.
Keep children and pets away from the area until cleanup is finished. Remove soaked carpets, drywall, and padding that cannot be cleaned. Discard food that may have touched sewage water. If you feel unwell, see a doctor and mention the sewage exposure.
What to Clean and What to Throw Away
Hard surfaces like tile, concrete, and metal can often be washed with a bleach solution. Use one cup of household bleach per gallon of water. Rinse thoroughly and let dry. Porous materials like carpet, drywall, and insulation usually need to be removed and discarded.
Items like stuffed toys, pillows, and mattresses are hard to disinfect fully. It is safer to throw them away. Wooden furniture may be salvageable if you dry it quickly, but check for swelling or odor. When in doubt, discard the item to protect your health.
When to Bring in the Pros
Sewage cleanup involves hidden contamination in walls, under flooring, and in HVAC systems. The pros have industrial fans, dehumidifiers, and antimicrobial treatments that reach places you cannot. They also know how to handle hazardous waste safely.
If the backup covers a large area or has soaked into drywall, call local water damage pros. They can assess the extent and remove affected materials. Acting quickly reduces the chance of mold and further damage. See a doctor if you develop symptoms.
- Large flooded areas that soak into walls or floors
- Sewage that has reached electrical outlets or appliances
- Strong sewage odor that persists after cleaning
- Signs of mold appearing within days
Talk to someone now
Phones are answered 24/7 for Doral and nearby communities.
Call Now (305) 614-9705Frequently asked questions
Can smelling sewage make you sick?
Smelling sewage is not the main way you get sick, but the odor comes from gases that can irritate your lungs. Breathing in droplets from contaminated water is more dangerous. If you feel nauseous or dizzy from the smell, leave the area and get fresh air.
How long after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms can start within a few hours or take up to a week, depending on the germ. Stomach bugs often show up in 12 to 48 hours. Hepatitis A may take two to six weeks. Watch for fever, diarrhea, or vomiting and contact a doctor if you feel unwell.
Should I get a tetanus shot after sewage backup?
If you have a cut or puncture wound and your tetanus shot is older than five years, check with your doctor. Tetanus bacteria live in soil and sewage. A booster may be recommended. See a doctor promptly for any wound that touches sewage water.