In a particularly sick twist, a Texas woman died after getting a rare (but deadly) brain-eating amoeba infection, health officials said. The infection went away when she was cleaning her sinuses using tap water and accidentally brought the brain-eater inside her nasal canal.
- The Deadly Infection
A doctor had to remove the victim’s face and hands before he could enter his bedroom. Copied photos of the man’s corpse suggest that he used unfiltered tap water in a nets pot to treat a sinus infection. It all seemed normal to him until the water was filled with the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. The small organisms enter the body through the nose and can travel to the brain, where it causes Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), an infection that kills brain tissue.
This is another rare case of PAM which can be contracted through nasal irrigation, health officials say, underlining the need for use of only sterile water for irrigation.
- Understanding Naegleria Fowleri
Naegleria fowleri typically lives in warm freshwater environments such as:
- Lakes and rivers
- Hot springs
- Poorly maintained swimming pools
- Warm soil
While the amoeba is fairly common in these environments it ‘s sporadic infection that leads to essentially always death. That said I do not believe that infection is ever going to occur, which far exceeds 97% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with only a handful of recorded survivors globally.
- Symptoms and Progression
The Texas woman’s case followed the typical rapid progression of PAM. Initial symptoms resemble bacterial meningitis, including:
1. Severe headache
2. Fever
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Stiff neck
5. Confusion and hallucinations
As the infection progresses, patients typically experience seizures and fall into a coma. Death usually occurs within 1-18 days after symptoms begin, making early detection crucial for any chance of survival.
- Protecting Yourself
In light of this Texas woman’s death from the brain-eating amoeba, health officials are emphasizing prevention measures. When cleaning sinuses or using neti pots, experts strongly recommend using:
- Distilled water
- Sterile water
- Previously boiled water that has been cooled
- Water passed through filters designed to trap infectious organisms
Dr. Jennifer Cope, medical epidemiologist at the CDC, stressed that “Tap water is safe for drinking because the stomach’s acidity kills any harmful microorganisms. However, the nasal passages offer direct access to the brain, creating a vulnerability that these amoebas can exploit.”
- Public Health Response
Local health departments across Texas have issued advisories following this incident, reminding residents about safe practices for nasal irrigation. The Texas Department of Health Services is working with local authorities to investigate the source of the contamination and prevent further exposures.
- The Rarity of Cases
Last year, a Texas woman died of a brain-eating amoeba. Now, while it may have made headlines, the deaths of such diseased people are extremely rare in the U. S. Doctors routinely report fewer than 10 cases per year. Most documented infections have been caused by swimming in contaminated freshwater, with a tiny minority due to nasal irrigation.
Even though the prevalence of nasal infections is extremely rare, the very high fatality rate should never be taken lightly. This case should send a shiver down our spine that even everyday health practices must be considered about safety — especially when it comes to introducing liquid into vital bodily systems.
