As a result of the destruction of the heart, a healthy 16-month-old boy died in Arkansas (US) last month after being had to be a fun trip to the water park. Once ill for a few days after the visit, the baby succumbed to a rare infection caused Naegleria fowleriAlso known as the amoeba that uses the brain. But what’s the amoeba and why is it fatal? We dig deeper ..
What is Naegleria Fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a deadly, free live amoeba, which is mainly in warm freshwater conditions such as lakes, rivers, hot springs and poorly chlorized pools. It blooms in warm water, especially in hot weather. Usually it feeds on bacteria in the water and does not attack people on its own. However, it can enter the body through the nose by causing a deadly infection called primary amoeba meningo -encephalitis (PAM). He has no medicine, even in treatment.
How does it reach the brain?
The infection occurs when Naegleria Fowleri enters the nose, usually while swimming, diving or splashes in warm fresh water. He then travels the olfactory nerves through a thin bone called Cribriform Plare to reach the brain. However, the entry point is always a nose and never by mouth.
What happens when it gets into your body?
Once in the brain, the amoeba attacks and nourishes brain tissues, grinding neurons and causing severe inflammation. It also releases enzymes and toxic molecules that destroy brain cells, which leads to widespread nerve damage. Although the immune system is trying to withstand the infection, it can lead to further brain injury.
The symptoms that you should pay attention
Symptoms usually begin 2-15 days after exposure and quickly progress. Here are included
High fever
Strong headache
Nausea and vomiting
A tough neck
Sensitivity to light
Confusion/hallucination/disorientation
Loss of equilibrium
Stage
Unfortunately, even in the treatment, the infection is almost always deadly, with a stunning level of complexity of 97%.
How to prevent infection
Good news is that the Naegleria Fowleri infection is rare and most people will not get it after swimming in the pool or lake. However, here are the things you need to keep in mind ….
Avoid swimming or diving in freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs, especially in the summer, when the amoeba is more active.
Use nose clamps or hold your nose while bathing to prevent the entrance.
Do not use tap water directly to rinse your nose. Always use distilled, sterile, water.
Avoid touching the nozzle in fresh water, as the amoeba can live in the dirt at the bottom of the lakes or reservoirs.
Make sure the pools are properly chilled and maintained to destroy harmful microorganisms.
Strangled after swimming in fresh water to wash off any potential pollution
