If you were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be at risk for health problems. Some people who have been exposed to the contaminated water have developed cancer or other serious illnesses. If this is the case, you may be wondering what the next steps are. Seeking medical attention is always the first priority, but beyond that, it’s important to understand the potential symptoms of water contamination so that you can be on the lookout for them.
What Contaminants are in the Water?
The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with a variety of different chemicals, including:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
There are many other chemicals that may have been present in the water as well. If you were exposed to the water, it’s important to be aware of the potential health effects of each of these contaminants.
What Are the Potential Health Effects?
The potential health effects of water contamination depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The type of contaminant
- The length of time you were exposed
- The amount of contaminant to which you were exposed
- Your age and overall health
There is no sure way to know if you will get sick from exposure to the contaminated water. However, if you have symptoms that are concerning, you should see a doctor.
Some of the Camp Lejeune water contamination symptoms that have been reported include:
- Cancer
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Autoimmune diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Mood disorders
Cancer is perhaps the best-known potential health effect of water contamination. This is because many of the chemicals that were present in the water, such as TCE and PCE, are known carcinogens. This means that they can cause cancer in humans.
Other potential health effects include kidney and liver damage, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and mood disorders. These effects can occur even if you were only exposed to the contaminated water for a short period of time.
Some of the symptoms of cancer, kidney, and liver damage, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and mood disorders can be very similar. For example:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in bowel habits
- Pain
- Headaches
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Joint pain
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can order tests to check for the presence of contaminants in your body and can provide you with the treatment you need. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better your chances are of getting proper treatment.
In some cases, such as with cancer, treatment may not be possible. However, early diagnosis can still help improve your prognosis and quality of life.
When Can I Expect to See Symptoms?
In some cases, the symptoms of water contamination may not appear until years after you were exposed. This is why it’s important to be aware of the potential long-term effects of exposure. If you develop any health problems down the road, be sure to tell your doctor about your history of exposure to contaminated water.
If you think you may have been exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, the best thing you can do is see a doctor and get checked out. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to maintaining your health. So, don’t delay in getting the care you need.
Final Thoughts
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune was a tragic event that has had a lasting impact on the lives of those affected. If you were exposed to contaminated water, it’s important to be aware of the potential health effects and to see a doctor as soon as possible. Additionally, retaining the services of a qualified lawyer is essential to getting the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one was exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, we can help. Our experienced team of lawyers has helped many people in your situation and we may be able to help you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation.
