Naegleria infection is an uncommon and deadly brain infection caused by naegleria fowleri, an amoeba usually found in freshwater lakes, hot springs and rivers. Exposure occurs during water sports or swimming. The amoeba moves up the nose to the sufferer’s brain. Millions of people are exposed to naegleria fowleri, but only few of them get sick from it. Health officials do not know why some people suffer from naegleria infection while others do not. Avoiding warm fresh water bodies and wearing nose clips might help prevent such infection.
Causes
Naegleria infection is caused by the amoeba naegleria fowleri that’s usually found in warm fresh waters, typically during the summer months. At times, naegleria fowleri is also found in the soil. It enters the body through the nose through contaminated dust or water and travels to the brain through the nerves which transmit one’s sense of smell. As mentioned, just a small percentage of people who are exposed to the amoeba ever get ill from it. The amoeba is not spread from one person to another or by drinking dirty water. Also, properly disinfected and cleaned swimming pools do not contain the amoeba.
Naegleria Fowleri Symptoms
Naegleria infection causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which causes brain inflammation and damages the brain tissue. Usually starting within two to fifteen days of contact to the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri symptoms might include:
- Fever
- Stiff neck
- Change in the sense of taste or smell
- Sudden headache
- Confusion
- Sleepiness
- Seizures
- Loss of balance
- Sensitivity to light
- Hallucinations
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These naegleria fowleri symptoms can progress fast and usually lead to death in a week. Look for immediate medical attention if you suffer from an unexpected onset of fever, stiff neck, vomiting and headache.
Risk Factors
- Heat Waves
Naegleria fowleri thrives in hot or warm water.
- Freshwater Swimming
A lot of people who become sick have been swimming in freshwater lakes within the past 2 weeks.
- Age
Young adults and children are usually the ones at risk of suffering from the infection, maybe because they are likely to remain in the water longer.
Treatments and Prevention
Some tests can be done to determine if one is suffering from naegleria infection. Magnetic resonance imaging or Computerized tomography (CT) can reveal bleeding and swelling within the brain.
Even with treatment, only few people survive the infection. Early treatment and diagnosis are important for survival. Amphotericin B, an antifungal drug is the primary treatment for the infection. It is usually injected into the space around the spinal cord or into a vein to kill the amoebas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends following these measures to reduce the risk of naegleria infection:
- Use nose clips or hold the nose shut when diving or jumping into warm fresh waters.
- Avoid disturbing the residue while swimming in shallow, warm fresh water bodies.
- Do not jump or swim in warm freshwater rivers and lakes.
