overview
Naegleria infection (nay-GLEER-e-uh) is a rare and almost always fatal brain infection. Naegleria infection is caused by an amoeba, which is common in lakes, rivers, and hot springs with warm fresh water. Exposure to amoeba usually occurs while swimming or other water sports.
The amoeba – called Naegleria fowleri – migrates from the nose to the brain, where it causes severe brain damage. Most people with Naegleria infection die within a week of symptoms appearing. Naegleria infection Treatment in Khammam
symptoms
Infection with Naegleria causes a condition known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (muh-ning-go-un-sef-uh-LIE-tis) – also known as PAM. PAM is a brain infection that causes brain swelling and destruction of brain tissue.
Symptoms of Naegleria infection usually begin within two to 15 days of exposure to the amoeba. The first signs and symptoms are often:
- fever
- Sudden and severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stuffy nose or runny nose
- Changes in smell or taste
The reasons
A Naegleria infection is caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which occurs in warm and fresh waters around the world, especially in the summer months. The amoeba is sometimes found in the soil. The amoeba enters your body through your nose through contaminated water, mud, or dust and gets to your brain via the nerves that transmit your sense of smell. Naegleria infection Treatment in Khammam
Only a tiny percentage of the millions of people exposed to Naegleria fowleri will get it. It is not known why some people become infected and others do not after exposure.
The amoeba does not spread from person to person. You also cannot get infected from drinking contaminated water. Salt water such as sea and sea water as well as properly cleaned and disinfected swimming pools do not contain amoebic naegleria.
Risk factors
Millions of people are exposed to the amoeba, which causes Naegleria infection each year, but few people get it. Between 2010 and 2019, 34 infections were reported in the United States.
Some factors that can increase your risk of Naegleria infection include:
- Swim in fresh water. Most of the people who get sick have swum in a freshwater lake in the past two weeks.
- Heat waves. The amoeba thrives in warm or hot water. Infections are more likely to occur in the summer months and in southern states, but can also occur in northern states.
- Age. Children and young adults are the age groups most likely to be affected, possibly because they are likely to stay in the water longer and be more active in the water.
prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the following measures can lower your risk of Naegleria infection:
- Do not swim or jump in warm freshwater lakes and rivers.
- Keep your nose closed or use nose clips when jumping or diving in warm freshwater bodies.
- Avoid disturbing the sediment by swimming in warm, shallow fresh water. Naegleria infection Treatment in Khammam