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Economic Times
a day ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Rare brain eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri kills woman: How a tiny amoeba in tap water can kill you and how to stay safe
Brain Eating Amoeba: A 71-year-old woman in Texas died after using unboiled tap water from an RV for nasal rinsing, leading to a rare but fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri — the so-called 'brain-eating' amoeba. The case, confirmed by the CDC, has raised fresh concerns over improper water use in nasal irrigation and swimming. Infections are exceedingly rare but almost always deadly. Authorities stress the importance of safe water practices to avoid exposure, particularly in warmer months when the amoeba thrives. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Naegleria fowleri? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How the woman got infected Symptoms to watch for Headache Fever Nausea Vomiting Confusion Stiff neck Seizures Hallucinations Coma Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How to protect yourself How it spreads and survives Can it be treated? A woman in Texas died after contracting a deadly brain infection from a microscopic amoeba in tap water used for a nasal rinse, U.S. health officials have 71-year-old was reportedly staying at a local campground and had used water from her RV's tap in a nasal irrigation device. Just four days later, she developed severe neurological symptoms and died within eight days of falling ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the infection as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — a rare but nearly always fatal amoeba.'This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,' the CDC fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools and untreated tap water. It is referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" because, once it enters through the nose, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it destroys brain its terrifying name, the amoeba is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2023, only 164 cases were recorded in the U.S., with just four known Lundstrom, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease expert at Trinity Health, told Fox News Digital, 'The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low. Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.'The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report detailed that the woman had used a nasal irrigation device multiple times over four days. It was filled with unboiled tap water from the RV's internal plumbing. After symptoms such as fever, headache and altered mental status emerged, she was hospitalised and treated for a suspected PAM her condition rapidly worsened. She suffered seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began. Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of Naegleria the amoeba itself was not detected in the RV water supply, investigators found the system had not been adequately symptoms of PAM often appear within five days of exposure, though onset can range from one to 12 days. These include:As the infection advances, it can cause:'Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis,' said disease progresses swiftly. On average, death occurs five days after symptoms begin, but it can happen in as little as one day or as long as CDC advises that only sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water should be used for nasal rinsing. Improperly treated water, especially from RVs or municipal systems lacking adequate disinfection, can pose a swimming, experts recommend keeping your head above water or using a nose clip. 'Infection occurs when water harbouring the amoeba goes up a person's nose, usually during swimming,' Lundstrom explained. 'It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.'Drinking contaminated water is not a risk factor, as the infection only occurs via nasal exposure. It also does not spread between the amoeba thrives in warm temperatures — typically over 30°C — and can survive in sediment, swimmers are advised not to disturb the bottom of lakes or fowleri has three life stages: cyst, trophozoite (the active stage), and flagellate. The active form can infect humans but under less favourable conditions, it reverts to a cyst and clings to surfaces in plumbing or grows best at temperatures up to 46°C and can survive briefly even in hotter conditions. Most infections occur in southern U.S. states, though cases are being reported further north — possibly linked to climate limit the spread, many southern utilities perform annual chlorine burns at the start of summer to flush out biofilms where the amoeba might options are limited due to the rapid progression and severity of PAM. Doctors typically use antifungal and antibiotic drugs, such as rifampin and azithromycin, alongside miltefosine, a newer antifungal that has shown some promise in lab Lundstrom cautioned, 'The effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate.'Prompt diagnosis remains difficult because early symptoms resemble other, more common warmest months are when Naegleria fowleri is most active, especially in southern regions. Splash pads, lakes, and even backyard kiddie pools can become risky if water is left untreated or infections are rare, families are urged to take simple precautions. Use sterile water for nasal care. Be cautious in warm freshwater environments. And remember, the amoeba doesn't pose a risk in saltwater or from drinking.'Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,' said Lundstrom. 'Awareness and prevention are your best tools.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Trinity Health Grand Rapids Breast Center recognized for excellence
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Trinity Health Grand Rapids says its has been designated as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence. The hospital says only 36 breast cancer programs in the country have earned the designation, which is the highest offered by the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers. Only one other location in in Michigan has earned it: Trinity Health Breast Center – Lakes Village in Norton Shores. 'What this means is patients don't have to choose between having really world-class care and care close to home: We can provide both of those for our patients,' Dr Bess Connors, a breast cancer surgeon who oversees the Grand Rapids center, said. Going flat: Breast cancer survivors advocate 'normal, beautiful' option She explained the center had demonstrate excellence under 49 standards covering everything from mammography and radiology to pathology to oncology and surgery. 'Unfortunately, breast cancer is extremely common: 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. That just means that everybody has a family member, someone they know at church, who has breast cancer and is affected by this. We have a great need in the community,' Connors said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Capital Health campus on Bert Avenue in Trenton closing immediately because of building safety issues
Capital Health is closing its satellite emergency department and outpatient clinic on Bert Avenue in East Trenton, New Jersey, immediately because structural issues at an adjoining building pose a safety threat, the health system announced Wednesday. As of 7 a.m. on Thursday, patients requiring emergency or acute care will be diverted to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton and Capital Health Medical Center-Hopewell in Pennington, Capital said in a statement. The outpatient clinic at the East Trenton campus, which is located at Bert and Hamilton avenues, closed Wednesday afternoon. Patients having emergencies should go to a different emergency department or call 911 so first responders can take them to an appropriate hospital, the health system said in the announcement. Patients who use the outpatient clinic for primary and specialty care are asked to use the Capital Health East Trenton Clinic on Bellevue Avenue or Capital Health Primary Care Clinic on Brunswick Avenue. Anyone with questions about outpatient care can call 609-815-7296. Capital Health leases the former St. Francis campus from Trinity Health, and leaders learned that significant structural issues in an adjoining building threaten the safety and structural integrity of their building. Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health, said in the announcement that his team is "deeply frustrated and disappointed" with the situation. "With the former St. Francis location no longer safe for us to occupy, we will be working to identify the best path forward to ensure Trentonians, and those in close proximity to this location, have continued access to the care they need," Maghazehe said in the statement. "We will work closely with the city, other partners, and the community as we move forward."
Medscape
20-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Diet, Nutrition, and Effects on Lung Health and Disorders
Primary care providers are accustomed to talking with their patients about how diet and nutrition influence health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular health. But their effect on lung health? 'It's not always at the forefront of our recommendations for lung health,' said Christina M. Eckhardt, MD, MS, a pulmonologist and assistant professor of medicine and environmental health sciences at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City. However, she suggested that nutrition does play an important protective role and deserves a greater focus. Here's what primary care providers might keep in mind when they raise the issue with their patients. Obesity's Impact on Lung Health There's a tendency to focus on environmental factors when it comes to lung conditions, especially those that are triggered by smoke and pollution. Allen J. Dozor, MD But Allen J. Dozor, MD, professor of pediatrics and the division chief of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine at New York Medical College in New York City, suggested that physicians remember a key point: 'More than half of your environment is what you eat,' he said. 'The other half is what you breathe in.' 'Nutrition does play a role in keeping our lungs healthy for sure,' said Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, clinical oncology dietitian at Trinity Health Lacks Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For example, good nutrition and a healthy diet are key to helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which can also influence lung health. 'We shouldn't forget that obesity is, in and of itself, a risk factor for countless lung diseases,' said Dozor. 'Obesity makes asthma worse, and asthma makes obesity worse.' Excess adipose tissue can put pressure on the lungs, which in turn can reduce functional residual capacity. In fact, some research shows that oxygen levels decrease as body mass index (BMI) goes up in patients with obesity, which can lead to hypoxemia. Lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can complicate the management of obesity in some patients, too, because it can make it harder for them to exercise. Extra adipose tissue can also increase the production of inflammatory cytokines that contribute to disease. 'It should be known that your weight has very clear effects on your breathing,' said Edward Len, MD, a pulmonologist with Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group in Largo, Maryland. And given that more than 41% of adults in the United States, or 100 million people, are considered obese, which is defined as having a BMI ≥ 30, that could affect a significant number of patients in any primary care practice. Other Effects of Diet on Lung Health Primary care providers may also want to watch for disease progression in patients with lung disease with an eye toward making sure they're eating the right foods. Julia Zumpano, RD, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition, Cleveland, said lung disorders can alter a patient's nutritional needs. Patients with lung conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer, often use a lot of extra energy to breathe, and as their condition progresses, their body's needs increase too. 'Therefore, it is very important that they receive adequate macronutrients and micronutrients to support their needs to prevent weight loss, muscle loss, or nutrient deficiencies,' she said. Edward Len, MD Len also suggested that primary care providers ask their patients if they're experiencing any symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which often coexists with asthma. Research is ongoing into the exact relationship between GERD and asthma, but treating GERD may help reduce some asthma exacerbations, thus improving lung function and quality of life. Untreated reflux can also be problematic for patients with interstitial lung disease, Len added. While diagnosing GERD may require an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or other tests, a basic screen doesn't have to take a lot of time. Physicians can ask a few simple questions about indigestion, heartburn, or pain after eating. The patient's answers can determine whether they need additional evaluation. Providers can also advise patients on dietary and lifestyle changes that may help reduce the incidence of reflux. The Virtues of a Plant-Based Diet Experts are increasingly suggesting that a plant-based diet is the way to go. Research suggested that plant-based dietary patterns may improve outcomes for cancer survivors and possibly even reduce the overall risk of developing cancer, including lung cancer. A 2023 study in the journal Antioxidants (Basel) found that consuming certain antioxidants from food sources seemed to have a protective effect against lung cancer. The nutrients with the most favorable effects included alpha-carotene, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, selenium, lutein and zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. A growing body of research suggested that eating a plant-based diet could also optimize lung health. For example, a 2023 study in Nutrients found that patients who ate a healthful version of a plant-based diet had a lower risk of developing COPD. Eating a plant-based diet — or a mostly plant-based diet — may require patients to pay a little extra attention to certain nutritional requirements. For example, they may need to be more deliberate about consuming adequate amounts of plant-based protein to make sure they receive enough of the amino acids not synthesized by the body. Bragagnini suggested recommending sources such as quinoa, nuts and seeds, nut butters, beans, peas, lentils, and whole soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, and soy milk. Helping Patients Make Positive Changes 'It is worth emphasizing to patients in general the importance of a balanced diet and not having too much of certain things in excess, specifically fried, fatty, greasy foods, and red meat,' said Len. 'I think everyone would agree that moderation of those things would be very reasonable.' But primary care providers don't have to take on the entire task of teaching their patients about the fine details of a plant-based diet — or other nutritional changes that can enhance lung health in general. They can refer patients to registered dietitians to get more personalized information on making dietary changes. 'To me, referring a patient to a dietitian is just as important, if not more important than, referring a patient to a specialist for a disease,' said Dozor. Dietitians can connect with patients, learn more about potential barriers to making changes, and then make recommendations to help them make meaningful and sustainable improvements. 'I think it makes people feel empowered that there are decisions that they can make in their day-to-day lives to improve their lung health in addition to using the medication that we prescribe,' said Eckhardt. Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD Bragagnini also recommended that primary care providers make sure they're aware of their patients' socioeconomic status when discussing diet and nutrition. They may need to connect some patients with resources in the community that can help them gain access to healthy food. Just because one patient has a well-stocked grocery store nearby doesn't mean that everyone does. 'Just be aware that a lot of people don't, and a lot of people are undeserved,' she said. She suggested that physicians remember to be kind when approaching patients who may need to lose some weight or adjust their diet. They may be worried they'll be scolded or shamed. 'Education begins with kindness, and it begins with a lack of shame,' said Bragagnini.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Some new Connecticut mothers are going home with orange bracelets. Here's why
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Trinity Health of New England has just launched a program to help new mothers with post-birth health complications. It involves a simple orange bracelet. Being a new mom can come with immense joy, but within the first 12 weeks, women also deal with a host of postpartum health complications. Saint Mary's ER doctor also a member of SWAT team Some of those conditions can include high blood pressure, increased bleeding and blurred vision, according to Karen Beebe, a perinatal nursing professional development specialist at St. Mary's Hospital. 'There's tons of stories out there of women who were not heard, who came into the (Emergency Department),' Beebe said. It's why Trinity Health hospitals like St. Mary's have started giving out orange bracelets as part of the Maternal Bracelet Program to new mothers that read 'I gave birth.' Beebe said if the mother experiences symptoms once she leaves the hospital, or if she goes to an emergency room, it can help paramedics or medical personnel quickly determine that she might be experiencing maternity-related issues. Celebrating National Hospital Week with the inspiring story of a Hartford HealthCare worker's life 'If a bracelet like this was seen, it's like 'oh okay, she must've had a baby recently so let's look at some of the other complications that could have happened,'' she said. 'They can end up seizing, they can have other complications such as blood dyscrasias, so we want them to get the right management for the symptoms they're experiencing.' Kadian Alseph, a registered nurse in the hospital's Woman and Infant Center, said the bracelet can also help with what many know as 'baby blues,' or postpartum depression. 'A lot of moms, first time moms, are not aware that they're going through post-partum depression. It's a visual and a reminder to say 'hey, this is what I'm going through, maybe I need to speak with someone,'' she said. The Maternal Bracelet Program was just implemented this week and so far three new mothers have been given bracelets, including one who had a baby on Mother's Day. Beebe said the hospital delivers about 700 babies annually. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
