How Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Spreads & Its Causes
The human population faces many health obstacles every day due to viruses, bacteria, and infections. One such threat is the Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled amoeba with a destructive goal. It is a naturally occurring resident of warm bodies of fresh water, unable to survive in salt water. Once introduced to the body through the nose, this amoeba goes straight to the brain and brain lining causing massive damage and death. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states the fatality rate for amoebic meningoencephalitis, which results from the Naegleria fowleri, is over ninety-seven percent and in fact, only four out of 143 known cases in the United States (spanning from 1962 to 2017) have survived the infection. The best way to avoid contact with this vile threat is to know where to find it and what to do to keep it out of your head. Let's examine some of the ways to safeguard you and your family from amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Shallow Surface Waters
This amoeba can be found in shallow surface waters such as lakes, rivers, and creeks. It also thrives in geothermal hot springs and in the water runoff from industrial facilities and power plants. It can even be found in water heater tanks and above ground plumbing pipes. It likes hot temperatures up to 115 degrees and has been known to live in even higher temperatures for a short time. You can expect to find it anywhere there is warm water and especially if the water is not in motion. Infections are mainly seen during the summer months when there are prolonged high temperatures and low water levels. It usually feeds on bacteria and microbes in the water.
Continue reading to learn more information about the various causes and spread of amoebic meningoencephalitis (Naegleria fowleri).
Improperly Maintained Pools And Hot Tubs
Swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, and spas all should contain a safe level of chlorine to kill microbes and bacteria that are unhealthy to humans. There are many products on the market to help keep them free and clear of contaminants. Regular monitoring of PH and chlorine levels should be of the utmost priority. This also applies to public swimming pools and water parks.
Naegleria fowleri cannot survive in a chlorinated environment, so improperly maintained pools and hot tubs could easily provide an adequate environment for it to flourish. Colonies can grow in stagnant or non-moving water, so it’s imperative to stay vigilant.
Read more about the causes and spread of this condition now.
Infected Water In The Nose
There are a few things individuals can do to avoid getting water up their nose. You can hold your nose shut while swimming, or use nose clips. Remember not to immerse your head, especially during warm water seasons. You can also avoid the water altogether during the months when this amoeba is most active. For individuals who practice ablution, the process of spraying water up the nose to clean the sinuses and nasal cavities, it is imperative to use sterile water. Steps everyone can take to make sure the water is safe for ablution include boiling water for one minute, before allowing the water to cool prior to use or using filters that remove the amoeba, such as the NSF 53 or NSF 58. Individuals can even choose to only purchase distilled or sterile water specifically for ablution. Also, research how to use chlorine appropriately to disinfect ablution water.
Keep reading for more information on the spread and causes of this condition.
Contaminated Soil
During colder seasons, the amoeba transforms into its cyst stage and settles into the sediment found below the water to wait it out until warmer weather arrives. In cyst stage, they can survive colder temperatures as long as they do not go below freezing. Naegleria fowleri found in the sediment of shallow surface waters can easily be dislodged by stirring it up during swimming. Any disruption of this contaminated soil will allow the amoeba to dispel into the water, increasing the risk of getting infected water in the nose. These occurrences are rare, though, considering hundreds of thousands of individuals participate in water activities on a regular basis.
Continue for more on the spread of this condition now.
Not Transmitted Person To Person
If you drink water contaminated with the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, you will not contract the disease. Studies also reveal an individual infected with amoebic meningoencephalitis cannot transfer the illness through casual interaction as the amoeba attacks only the host. This condition is not transmitted person to person, and even if two individuals were participating in the same water activities in the same body of water, one might get infected while the other does not. There is still no concrete evidence to determine why this happens, whether some individuals are more susceptible to the infection than others but ultimately, it still comes down to getting infected water in the nose.