Medical Warning: Drinking Leftover Water from Cars Linked to Severe Illness

According to a report by Khaosod Online, a medical expert has issued a warning regarding the consumption of bottled water left inside vehicles. The caution follows a case involving a man in his 50s with pre-existing diabetes and chronic kidney disease who was hospitalized with severe vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Dr. Hong Yung-hsiang, a kidney specialist, noted that the patient had consumed half a bottle of water that had been left in his car for two days. The doctor explained that when a person drinks directly from a bottle, saliva and bacteria can enter the container. If left in the high-temperature environment of a vehicle, these microorganisms can multiply rapidly. In this specific case, the patient’s condition escalated into acute kidney injury (AKI), a serious complication.

For residents and travelers in Thailand, where high temperatures are common, this serves as a reminder that water bottles exposed to heat after being opened may harbor harmful bacteria. While the doctor suspects the contaminated water triggered the patient's severe gastroenteritis and subsequent kidney issues, it remains to be confirmed if other environmental factors contributed to the severity of the illness. Health professionals advise against consuming any water that has been opened and left in a vehicle overnight to avoid potential bacterial infection.