Amoebas In our water We have all heard about them. Our parents warned us about them. But are they real?
It is certainly not common, but every year some people become infected with amoebae that eat the brain. Almost all die.
Amoebas are microscopic single-celled organisms. The type of amoeba that infects swimmers, travels to the brain, and causes disease is called Naegleria fowleri.
Hot summers and abundant lakes in Orlando make Central Florida a high-risk area for infection. It is important to know where amoebas live and how to protect yourself and your family from infection.
WHERE DOES AMOEBAS LIVE?
- Naegleria amoebas live and thrive in very warm waters. That is why infection reports in the United States begin in the summer months. Amoebas can survive in water temperatures of 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Amoebas are found in many places, including lakes and ponds, slow-moving rivers, untreated pools and spas, mud puddles, untreated well water, hot springs, collections of runoff water from power plants, aquariums, and soil. .
- Naegleria ameebas cannot survive in salt water or in properly treated swimming pools or municipal water.
- Florida and Texas are home to more than half of all N. fowleri infections in the United States. Infections and deaths have occurred in central Florida.
HOW DOES AMOEBAS CAUSE INFECTION?
- N. fowleri infections are not contagious. You cannot catch a sick person or share a drink with an infected person. It doesn’t work that way.
- Most infections in the United States occur in children (60%), and the disease is seen most often in men (80%).
- Amoebas travel from the nose to the brain, which is why infections most often occur after water skiing, diving, or water sports. These activities cause the water to be forced up the nose.
- Normally feeding on bacteria, the Naegleria amoeba begins to use the brain as a food source after infecting a human.
- Infections have occurred as a result of using untreated tap water in net pots while cleaning the nasal passages. Experts recommend using only distilled water in neti pots for this reason.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION?
- Infection with N. fowleri amoebae, called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, is rare; It occurs up to eight times a year, almost exclusively during July, August, and September.
- Some people may have antibodies to amoebae, which means that they may have been infected at some point and successfully fought off the infection without developing symptoms of the disease.
- Symptoms of the disease occur two to 15 days after infection with the amoeba. Death usually occurs within three to seven days after symptoms appear. It is very rare for a symptomatic person to survive the infection.
- Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis begins like viral meningitis and can cause headache, stiff neck, fever, loss of appetite, altered mental status, vomiting, seizures, or coma. Other symptoms may also be present.
- There are several medications available to kill N. fowleri amoebae, but they rarely improve survival rates, possibly because the disease is too advanced once symptoms begin and the cause is identified.
HOW TO AVOID INFECTION WITH NAEGLERIA FOWLERI AMOEBAS
- Avoiding potential sources of amoeba, such as warm lakes and untreated swimming pools, is a good first step in preventing infection.
- Because the amoeba N. fowleri gains access to the brain through the nose, water sports, underwater swimming, and other activities that force water up the nose should be avoided during the summer.
- It is helpful to wear a nose clip when boating, swimming, or playing in or near warm water.
- Opt for one of Central Florida’s natural springs over local lakes. The low temperatures of the cool springs help prevent infection with amoebae.
- Avoiding mud puddles and muddy river banks will reduce the risk of infection. This is a less common but possible infection method.
- Only use sterile or distilled water in neti pots when cleaning your nose. If this is not possible, it is important to boil the tap water for at least a minute and then cool before use.
