Latest news with #PrimaryAmebicMeningoencephalitis
USA Today
03-08-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Dangerous waters: What to know about the flesh-eating bacteria and brain-eating amoebas
For most people, swimming in a lake or river is the best way to cool off on a hot summer's day. But there are more than frogs and fish in those waters – microscopic pathogens that can cause serious illness, and in extreme cases, even death, are lurking below the surface. Two waterborne pathogens have been increasing in freshwater lakes and brackish waters across the U.S. in recent years, due to the warming trends of climate change, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The culprits are the rare "flesh-eating" bacteria (scientific name Vibrio vulnificus) and the "brain-eating" amoeba (scientific name Naegleria fowleri). In early July, a boy died from the brain-eating amoeba, after swimming in a South Carolina lake. Four other people have died after contracting the rare flesh-eating bacteria in Florida this year, state health officials confirmed. How do these pathogens enter the body? The brain-eating amoeba and flesh-eating-bacteria are known to thrive in warm water environments. The brain-eating amoebas are more commonly found in warm freshwater lakes and rivers, while the flesh-eating bacteria are primarily found in warm brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water. How both pathogens can enter the body during water activities: Why is it called a brain-eating amoeba? The amoeba is often referred to as brain-eating because it can cause an deadly infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) that destroys brain tissue. The brain-eating amoeba usually kills fewer than 10 Americans each year. In particular, only four survivors have been identified out of 167 instances that have been recorded in the U.S. between 1962 and 2024, according to the CDC. Why is it called a flesh-eating bacteria? The bacteria is often referred to as fleshing-eating because it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which destroys muscle tissue, skin tissue and skin. It can enter through a cut, but it cannot penetrate unharmed skin. The bacteria can also enter your body when you eat uncooked or undercooked shellfish. The flesh-eating bacteria is rare, but it can be life-threatening. Without treatment, death can occur in just a few days. An average of 150 to 200 cases are reported each year, with most of them in Gulf Coast states, according to the CDC. Take these precautions during water activities Swimmers, particularly those in southern states and warm coastal waters, should expect a minimal risk of contracting a pathogen in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, brackish waters and hot springs. How to lower your risks: Medical experts always recommend keeping a close eye on children when they play or swim in the water. While it's uncommon for adults to swallow water while swimming, children are far more prone to do so, according to VCU Health. Researchers are unsure why boys appear to be most at risk of being infected. It may be because they are more prone to play in the sediment at the bottom of lakes or jump and dive into the water, according to the CDC. Progression of infection: Know the symptoms Because of the life-threatening results, it is important to be know of symptoms and significance of seeking immediate medical assistance following any exposure. Here is a comparison of symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria vs. the brain-eating amoeba: CONTRIBUTING Julie Garisto, T. Sudore and C.A. Bridges/USA TODAY NETWORK, Christopher Cann and George Petras/USA TODAY SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health, Cleveland Clinic, WebMD, VCU Health, The Florida Department of Health, and USA TODAY research
India.com
27-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Child Dies After Brain-Eating Amoeba Attack - Know Early Signs Before It's Too Late
Another life has been claimed by the deadly Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba, after a child in South Carolina, US, was exposed while swimming in a local lake. The organism causes a rare infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which destroys brain tissue at an alarming rate. The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed the death on July 22, with doctors at Prisma Health Richland Hospital identifying the microscopic culprit. Found in warm freshwater, think lakes, rivers, and even improperly cleaned neti pots, Naegleria fowleri enters through the nose, travelling along the olfactory nerve to the brain. And while it doesn't 'eat brains' like in horror movies, the destruction it causes is no less terrifying. According to the CDC, over 150 cases have been reported in the US since 1962, with only four survivors. Don't Ignore These First Symptoms of Brain-Eating Amoeba The most dangerous aspect of PAM is that it masquerades as a regular viral infection. Symptoms can show up 1–12 days after exposure, often too late for effective treatment. Early Symptoms Include: 1. Severe headache (especially behind the eyes or forehead) 2. High fever 3. Nausea and vomiting 4. Neck stiffness 5. Confusion or changes in behavior 6. Loss of balance and sensitivity to light Once the infection progresses, it can lead to seizures, hallucinations, coma, and ultimately death. Survival rates remain tragically low even with early hospital intervention. How to Protect Yourself and Your Family Experts recommend these precautions to reduce risk: 1. Never dive or jump into warm freshwater bodies without a nose clip. 2. Avoid disturbing lakebed sediment where the amoeba may be lurking. 3. Don't use tap water in neti pots unless it's been boiled, distilled, or sterilised. 4. Avoid freshwater swimming during extremely hot weather when water is stagnant. Bottom Line While the brain-eating amoeba is rare, it's fatal in most cases and strikes without warning. If you've recently swum in freshwater and develop severe headaches or neurological symptoms, don't delay, seek medical attention immediately. Your life may depend on it. FAQ 1. What is the brain-eating amoeba? Naegleria fowleri is a rare amoeba that destroys brain tissue after entering through the nose. 2. How do people get infected? Infection usually occurs when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose during swimming or diving. 3. What are the first symptoms? Severe headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, and confusion are common early signs. 4. Is it treatable? Survival is extremely rare, but early detection and aggressive treatment may help. 5. How can I protect myself? Use nose clips, avoid disturbing sediment in warm lakes, and never use tap water in neti pots unless sterilised. (This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals.)
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Brain-eating amoeba case in the US: The first symptoms you should never ignore
A recent case out of South Carolina has once again put the spotlight on a terrifying microscopic killer: the brain-eating amoeba. According to health officials, a child died after being infected with Naegleria fowleri—the rare but deadly organism that thrives in warm freshwater like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The victim reportedly came into contact with the amoeba while swimming in a local lake during the sweltering summer heat. Doctors confirmed it as Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)—a brain infection that's almost always fatal. Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia publicly confirmed the death on July 22, according to a statement from the South Carolina Department of Public Health DPH, Fox News Digital confirmed. Naegleria fowleri doesn't actually 'eat brains' in the zombie sense. What it does is sneak up the nose when water gets forced up there (think diving, splashing, or improperly cleaned neti pots). From there, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, destroying tissue as it goes. The numbers aren't comforting: According to the CDC, only four people in the US have survived out of more than 150 documented infections since 1962. Brain eating amoeba: Early symptoms you have to take seriously Here's the frustrating part: the initial signs of PAM look a lot like a regular viral illness. That's what makes this thing so dangerous—it hides in plain sight. The first symptoms usually appear 1 to 12 days after exposure, and may include: Severe headache (especially frontal lobe or behind the eyes) Fever Nausea and vomiting Stiff neck Loss of balance Sensitivity to light Confusion or changes in behavior If left untreated, things escalate fast—think hallucinations, seizures, and coma. Once it reaches that stage, survival is extremely rare. Knowing how to avoid Naegleria fowleri is key: Don't force water up your nose—this includes jumping or diving into freshwater bodies. Use nose clips if you're going to swim in warm freshwater. Avoid disturbing the sediment in shallow, warm lakes (the amoeba loves to hide in there). Never use tap water for neti pots or nasal rinses unless it's been boiled, distilled, or sterilized. So go ahead, enjoy your summer. But if you've been in warm freshwater and suddenly develop a splitting headache or confusion, don't try to tough it out. Get medical help. Fast.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
71-Year-Old Texas Woman Dies From Rare 'Brain-Eating Amoeba'
Clogged sinuses are a common problem, affecting millions of people every day. The widespread issue has led to a number of home remedies that are usually enough to provide some relief. One tactic involves nasal irrigation through water - water is poured through one nostril as the person leans to the side. This helps the water and whatever is blocking the person's sinuses emerge from the other nostril. It's an effective method, and neti pots are sold at drug stores and retailers around the country, but the remedy proved to be fatal for one Texas woman. According to the CDC's Mortality and Weekly Report, a 71-year-old woman died after using water from a campground to fill her neti pot. After using the water from an RV's water system, the woman began experiencing "fever, headache and [an] altered mental status." The woman was then treated for Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis and suffered seizures as she was being helped and attended to. The CDS says it believes that the woman also had Naegleria fowleri, a "brain-eating amoeba" that's found in lakes, hot springs and freshwater liquids. The organization warns that only handful of people contract the amoeba each year, but that the mortality rate is close to 100% when it's discovered. Ways to stay safe include wearing nose caps or plugs while swimming, keeping your head above water in hot springs, not digging in to shallow water and boiling water before taking it into one's sinuses. In this instance, the amoeba was able to quickly travel to the woman's brain, which it did after she used the neti pot. "If water containing the ameba goes up the nose and to the brain, it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis," the organization warned. The CDC says that the problematic amoeba can be found in soil and marshy, swampy areas around the world. Since 1962 there have been nearly 200 cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis in the United States, and only four people have survived. The amoeba cannot be contracted by swallowing water that has the bacteria in it, and it cannot be passed to others. Rest in peace to the woman who died, and we send condolences to her family, friends and loved ones during this diffcult time. 71-Year-Old Texas Woman Dies From Rare 'Brain-Eating Amoeba' first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to clear sinuses, CDC says
Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to clear sinuses, CDC says Show Caption Hide Caption What to know about the flu The common flu can cause mild to severe symptoms, according to the CDC. Find out what you need to know to prevent the illness. A woman in Texas died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba infection from using tap water to clear out her sinuses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced. According to a death investigation inside the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Thursday, May 29, the 71-year-old woman suddenly died after experiencing serious symptoms. Officials described the symptoms as a fever, headache, and an 'altered mental status,' only days after using a 'nasal irrigation device' filled with tap water. The report continued, saying that the woman received medical treatment for a suspected Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis infection. But despite the treatment, the woman began having seizures, subsequently dying eight days after symptoms began. Following her death, CDC officials confirmed in the report that Naegleria fowleri was found in the woman's cerebrospinal fluid, which the Cleveland Clinic says is a clear and colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a protective cushion and provides nutrients. What is Naegleria fowleri? According to the CDC, Naegleria fowleri, more commonly known as 'brain-eating amoeba,' is a one-celled organism that lives in freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs. 'If water containing the ameba goes up the nose and to the brain, it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM),' the CDC said. Officials said that fewer than 10 people a year contract PAM, with a death rate of almost 100%. How can I stay safe from brain-eating amoeba? According to the CDC, officials gave the following recommendations to stay safe: Hold your nose or wear a nose clip if you are jumping or diving into fresh water. Always keep your head above water in hot springs. Don't dig in shallow water because the amoeba is more likely to live there. Use distilled or boiled tap water when rinsing your sinuses or cleansing your nasal passages. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
