A previously healthy 71-year-old woman in Texas has died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, from using tap water to rinse her sinuses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a case report detailing the incident, which occurred earlier this year. The woman developed symptoms consistent with Naegleria fowleri infection after using tap water to irrigate her nasal passages.
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can enter the body through the nose and travel to the brain, causing a rare and often fatal infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Symptoms of PAM can include headache, fever, stiff neck, seizures, and hallucinations.
Health officials are urging people to use only sterile, distilled water or water that has been boiled and cooled for nasal rinsing. Tap water can contain low levels of Naegleria fowleri, which are usually harmless when swallowed but can be dangerous when introduced into the nasal passages. The CDC recommends that individuals using tap water for sinus rinsing should boil it for at least one minute and let it cool before use. Alternative methods include using a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, or purchasing distilled or sterile water. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of using safe water practices for nasal hygiene.
Brain-Eating Amoeba Kills Texas Woman Using Tap Water for Sinus Rinse
A 71-year-old woman in Texas died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, from using tap water to rinse her sinuses. According to a CDC report, the woman, who was previously healthy, developed the infection after using the contaminated water. Health officials are now warning people to use only sterile, distilled water for nasal rinsing. This tragic case highlights the potential dangers of using untreated tap water for medical purposes.
Source: Read the original article at CBS