How concerned are YOU with viruses in water??

**MrMiner2** · 03-19-2013, 13:55

I have always used a .02 micron filter. So far so good. Have I been taking too big of a risk?

What all should I know about water treatment, backcountry, and viruses?

Thanks!

**MrMiner2** · 03-19-2013, 13:58

I know it depends on location as well.

**bfayer** · 03-19-2013, 14:03

As long as you are not getting your water from a source downstream from humans, viruses are not an issue on the AT.

Most of the AT water sources are either springs or streams that come from areas without significant human activity.

If you suspect the water has past through a farm or town, viruses could be an issue. Chose your water sources appropriately and filters are fine.

**Lone Wolf** · 03-19-2013, 14:47

i'm not concerned at all. i never filter or treat

**Prime Time** · 03-19-2013, 15:10

Some people do get quite sick from untreated water either because they were careless, or they didn't realize that the water they drank was contaminated from an unseen source upstream. I try and select clear, free running water whenever possible and I use a Steri Pen unit. No system of treating water is a guarantee but for 3.5 ounces of weight and 1 minute of stirring, I just want to reduce the risk.

**MrMiner2** · 03-19-2013, 15:34

Originally Posted by Prime Time

Some people do get quite sick from untreated water either because they were careless, or they didn't realize that the water they drank was contaminated from an unseen source upstream. I try and select clear, free running water whenever possible and I use a Steri Pen unit. No system of treating water is a guarantee but for 3.5 ounces of weight and 1 minute of stirring, I just want to reduce the risk.

Completely untreated or from .02 filter?

**Tinker** · 03-19-2013, 15:53

Not at all. I use this:

http://generalecology.com/portablesystem.htm

**MrMiner2** · 03-19-2013, 16:05

I guess general US backpacking.

**MrMiner2** · 03-19-2013, 16:07

Originally Posted by Tinker

Not at all. I use this:

http://generalecology.com/portablesystem.htm

Huh? That does help against viruses. So you are concerned I suppose.

**MDSection12** · 03-19-2013, 16:08

I never treat water that comes from a spring if it is at an elevation that I know to be above any significant human or livestock contamination... Any water that I can't get directly from where the spring comes out of the ground, or is at a lower elevation than I think is safe, I treat. So far so good.

**SunnyWalker** · 03-19-2013, 16:27

Originally Posted by MrMiner2

I have always used a .02 micron filter. So far so good. Have I been taking too big of a risk?

What all should I know about water treatment, backcountry, and viruses?

Thanks!

Not that concerned. I either filter (MSR Sweetwater) or use AM. No problemo! That is unless the source is without question a nice clean source!!! Then Ah jist drink up!!!!

**Odd Man Out** · 03-19-2013, 16:36

Originally Posted by MrMiner2

I have always used a .02 micron filter. So far so good. Have I been taking too big of a risk?

What all should I know about water treatment, backcountry, and viruses?

Thanks!

I'm confused. A 0.02 micron filter does remove viruses, so what risk are you taking?

http://www.sawyer.com/sawyersaves/pr...-pointtwo.html

FWIW, in North America, I use the 0.1 micron filter. It removes bacteria but not viruses, and I don't worry.

**Another Kevin** · 03-19-2013, 16:52

I take my chances with viruses.

Hepatitis-A - I've had the shots.
Polio - I've had the shots.
Coronavirus - Vanishingly rare.
JC virus (and other polyoma-like viruses) - Dangerous, generally speaking, only to the immunocompromised.
Norovirus, rotavirus - I carry enough bismuth subsalicylate and oral rehydration salts that I think I can manage to get off trail with no worse than soiled pants.

Bacteria and protozoa are another story altogether. So I filter (when I don't worry about the filter freezing), or boil or use AquaMira (when I do worry about the filter freezing).

**MrMiner2** · 03-19-2013, 17:00

Yeah I meant .2 microns (not good)

**Dogwood** · 03-19-2013, 17:03

How concerned are YOU with viruses in water?

Viruses(not bacteria or protoza), U.S., not concerned.

**Tinker** · 03-19-2013, 17:10

Originally Posted by MrMiner2

Huh? That does help against viruses. So you are concerned I suppose.

Viruses are rare, but they may be present, so I use a filter which has a small pore size to deal with protozoa, and which also deals with viruses, just in case.

Thus, I am not concerned (like many others, I realize that most backcountry illnesses are the same ones that you're likely to get at home - as a matter of fact, if you get sick in the woods it's just as likely that you picked up the bug from a town resupply or sharing another hiker's gorp, chips, etc.). There are two ways (at least) not to worry. Two of the ways are to:
1) Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best, or
2) Be like a crocodile and live in De Nile.

.

Careful people don't need as much "luck", and they don't feel as foolish if they prepared the best they could and something still happened compared to those who begin an endeavor ill-prepared.

We all take chances.

How else can we enjoy life?

Just don't leave too much to chance.

**Teacher & Snacktime** · 03-19-2013, 17:16

I'm hyper-concerned about any and all beasties in the water....I'll filter, I'll treat, I'll boil, and/or whatever else can an effective annihilator! Of course, I am immunocompromised, but I didn't start out that way! Expose yourself to enough in youth and you'll surely pay for it later! Knowingly risking illness by drinking untreated water makes no sense to me....but then 9 out of 10 times I'll forgoe putting on a seatbelt, so I guess I do get it to some extent.

**Tinker** · 03-19-2013, 17:23

Originally Posted by Teacher & Snacktime

I'm hyper-concerned about any and all beasties in the water....I'll filter, I'll treat, I'll boil, and/or whatever else can an effective annihilator! Of course, I am immunocompromised, but I didn't start out that way! Expose yourself to enough in youth and you'll surely pay for it later! Knowingly risking illness by drinking untreated water makes no sense to me....but then 9 out of 10 times I'll forgoe putting on a seatbelt, so I guess I do get it to some extent.

No seatbelt?

But concerned about cooties in the water??

At least the cooties won't kill you instantly.

I almost lost a cousin when I was a kid because she was in a '60s car with no seatbelt in the middle. She is scarred for life, physically.

Don't go getting yourself killed. We need all the hikers we can find in RI.

**Tinker** · 03-19-2013, 17:26

Teacher (my wife's occupation recently), or Snacktime -

Please..........tell us how your immune system became compromised (as a youth, I take it).

Thanks. Maybe we can learn something (or at least get to know you a bit more).

**Teacher & Snacktime** · 03-19-2013, 18:16

Originally Posted by Tinker

Teacher (my wife's occupation recently), or Snacktime -

Please..........tell us how your immune system became compromised (as a youth, I take it).

Thanks. Maybe we can learn something (or at least get to know you a bit more).

I have Lupus, thus I don't know it's exact cause. I have theories, but they're only that....a combo of heredity and a misspent (but fully enjoyed) youth, the physical strain of having kids (4). Until fairly recently (last 15 yrs) I ate poorly, never slept, baked my skin in the sun, smoked (quit that 22 yrs ago), overstressed myself physically and emotionally DELIBERATELY, and refused to acknowledge any limitations. Today I have learned my lesson....so obviously I'm going to hike the AT...and I'll try to not be too stupid.

...and I'm working on the seatbelt thing.....

Thread: How concerned are YOU with viruses in water??

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display