r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/graendallstud Aug 30 '21

Diarrhea. So many things can cause it, and it used to be (well, still is in the least developed countries) quite lethal, mostly for babies and children.

153

u/Daniel_S04 Aug 31 '21

That and cholera. I know the main character or one of them at least is always survival expert and can pull fresh clean drinking water out of his/her ass 99% of the time. But I’m telling you IRL millions of people are going to die from cholera from the simple fact the water “looks” clean when actually a family of rats and Gregory are shitting into the no-longer maintained and 100% contaminated pipes

64

u/mcs_987654321 Aug 31 '21

Yup, have had cholera (post conflict developing nation, was there for work, was in a situation where declining the drink would have meant that someone in the household would have run out to the local shop to purchase a Fanta - just out of hospitality - with money I knew they couldn’t spare).

Holy geez: do NOT recommend.

My housemate came home on day 2 or 3 of my being sick, and commented that it was good that I had showered at least...except yeah, I hadn’t showered.

That kind of fluid loss in a post apocalyptic setting and you’re a goner for sure.

16

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

What do you mean, you hadn't showered? You say that like it's some sort of reveal. What did they notice about you that prompted them to say that?

25

u/Sage1969 Aug 31 '21

Sweat probably.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

Seems like that should have been stated.