Health Editor’s Note: ‘Real Water’ brand alkaline water has been the common link in non-viral hepatitis in five children and infants which has caused liver failure. The children have since recovered, but note that others in these families also became ill but with less severe symptoms and outcomes. The common denominator for all these illness was the consumption of ‘Real Water.’…….Do not drink it…..Carol
The FDA, along with the CDC and the Southern Nevada Health District is investigating a number of reports of acute non-viral hepatitis in the state of Nevada.
The consumption of “Real Water” brand alkaline water is the only common link identified among all of these cases to date. This brand of alkaline water is owned by Real Water Inc., headquartered in Mesa, Arizona.
Although the investigation is ongoing, epidemiologic information currently indicates that this alkaline water product may be the cause of the illnesses.
FDA is in the beginning stages of this investigation, and there may be additional products connected to this outbreak. FDA has initiated an investigation at the firm.
As this outbreak investigation continues, the FDA will provide additional updates to this advisory as more information becomes available.
Recommendations
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not drink, cook with, sell, or serve “Real Water” alkaline water, until more information is known about the cause of the illnesses. These products include but are not limited to: 5-gallon containers (sold through home delivery/subscription), bottles (sold on-line and in stores), and the “Real Water” concentrate (sold on-line).
The 5-gallon containers are delivered to homes in the following areas, according to the firm’s website:
- Honolulu, HI through Aloha Water
- Orange County, CA through Paradise Bottling Company
- St. George, UT through Real Water Southern Utah
- Tucson, AZ through Aqua Pure
- Ventura and Santa Barbara, CA through Real Water Gold Coast
Additionally, according to the firm’s website, Real Water is sold in 1 gallon, 500 mL (16.9oz.), 1 liter, and 1.5 liter plastic bottles and in a 750 mL glass bottle.
Symptoms of all types of hepatitis, including non-viral hepatitis, are similar and can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay or gray-colored bowel movements, joint pain, yellow eyes, and jaundice. Those experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor.
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.
She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.
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Carol, I saw a video advertisement for a
“special” probiotics to cure toenail fungus, which stated the cause of the fungus is the body being in a slight state of acidity.
And their probiotics is supposed to remedy that and cure the toenail fungus pronto.
Do you have any comment?
Thanks
Elvin, There are over the counter treatments you can try first, but they may not help. Treatment really depends on the severity of the infection and what type of fungus is the culprit. Medication the doctor can prescribe are antifungal drugs which can be taken orally, or some can be applied to the nail. Sometimes both are necessary. Oral drugs are used first because they tend to get rid of the infection quicker.
Treating toenail fungus is a process which first starts with finding the cause…toenail clipping and scrapings from under the nail will be taken to determine the exact fungus. What looks like toenail fungus may be psoriasis which can mimic a fungal infection or the infection can be caused by yeast and/or bacteria. Treatments are based on the type of fungus. Terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox) can be prescribed and these treat the infection while letting new fungus free nail to grow in. The treatment can take 6 to 12 weeks and you will not see the result of the treatment until the nail has grown back. This process can take 4 months or longer and is a longer process in the over 65 crowd. Oral antifungals can have side effects which range from rash to liver damage. You could need blood tests to keep an eye on your liver function. Then there is the topical route with medicated nail polish, Yciclopirox (Penlac) can take up to a year, or nail cream applied to thinned out nails either To thin nails by using urea or the doctor can debride or file the nail down to make it thinner so the cream can more easily be absorbed. If needed the nail can be surgically removed either temporarily or permanently.
Thanks Carol,
That’s a lot of good information; about a 100 times more than I got from my local nurse practitioner on a routine checkup.
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