Naegleria Fowleri: The Brain Eating Amoeba

Naegleria Fowleri, also known as the brain eating amoeba, has found recent, public attention due to several deaths across the United States. Naegleria Fowleri infections are rare, but when they strike the outcome is devastating. Contact with this brain eating amoeba may be more common than you believe--it exists in many places and environments-- but there are ways to safeguard yourself from this terrible parasite.

Where the amoeba lives:

This brain eating amoeba is common and found throughout the world, but is exceptionally active in warm environments, and is most prolific during hot summers. Naegleria Fowleri makes its home in both water and soil and can infect humans when contaminated water enters the nose. According to the CDC, such infections are rare. Once Naegleria Fowleri has entered the body, however, it appears that infection with Naegleria Fowleri is usually, if not always, fatal.

Symptoms of infection by the brain eating amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri:

Symptoms of infection by the brain eating amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri, begin within one day to two weeks after the initial contact with the organism. The initial symptoms of Naegleria Fowleri infection are similar to the symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis and include fever, stiff neck, and headache. As more brain tissue is damaged, other symptoms appear indicating the progressive damage to the brain-- EG. Confusion and seizures.

Microscopic examination of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid can be used to establish that symptoms are the result of Naegleria Fowleri infection. After symptoms appear, death typically occurs within a week.

Preventing infection:

The CDC recommends using nose-clips while swimming in order to prevent water from entering the nasal passages. You should avoid swimming in shallow warm waters.

It is important to note that just because water appears clean (for instance, in the case of hot springs) Naegleria Fowleri may, nevertheless, be present. The brain eating amoeba can live in soil and any suitable body of water--including swimming pools that are dirty and under-chlorinated. Naegleria Fowleri in swimming pools, however, is very rare. Proper cleaning and chemical treatment of swimming pools keeps Naegleria Fowleri and many other (* but not all) organisms from contaminating the water

Although outbreaks are still very rare, Naegleria Fowleri thrives in warm conditions and the risks of contacting the flourishing amoeba and developing the serious brain illness will become more common as global temperatures rise. Extra precautions should be taken when swimming in any body of water to prevent exposure to harmful parasites and other disease-causing agents.

_{*The cryptosporidium parasite can survive in chlorinated waters. This parasite caused illnesses across several states in 2007. Cryptosporidiosis is normally not fatal to persons with a healthy immune system.}