KOZHIKODE: The brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has tragically claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy named Mridul in Kozhikode, Kerala. This incident marks the third such fatality in the region following the deaths of a 5-year-old girl in Malappuram on May 21 and a 13-year-old girl in Kannur on June 25. Mridul contracted the infection after swimming in a contaminated pond.
What is Naegleria fowleri? Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba," is a single-celled organism found in warm freshwater environments like lakes and rivers. Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, often during swimming or diving. Once inside the nasal passages, the amoeba can travel to the brain, causing a rare and severe infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This infection is almost always fatal, leading to the destruction of brain tissue and severe inflammation.
Signs and Symptoms The early symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms rapidly progress to severe neurological issues such as seizures, hallucinations, and coma. Due to its rapid progression and high fatality rate, it is crucial to recognize these symptoms early and seek immediate medical attention.
Prevention Tips Preventing Naegleria fowleri infections involves minimizing exposure to warm freshwater sources where the amoeba may be present. Here are some key prevention tips:
Avoid Swimming in Warm Freshwater: Refrain from swimming or diving in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs, especially during the summer when temperatures are higher.
Use Nose Clips: If you swim in such waters, use nose clips to prevent water from entering your nose.
Ensure Safe Water for Nasal Irrigation: For activities like nasal irrigation (e.g., using a neti pot), ensure the water is sterile, distilled, boiled and cooled, or filtered with a filter that can remove amoebas.
Be Cautious with Water Sports: Be cautious with water sports that involve submerging the head in warm freshwater, such as waterskiing and wakeboarding.
Clean Wading Pools Regularly: If using a wading pool or other shallow water play areas, fill them with safe water and ensure they are cleaned regularly.
By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection.
Treatment Options Currently, there are no recognized viable treatments for PAM. Doctors use a variety of medications to treat the illness, but the success rate is very low. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, but the infection's rapid progression makes it extremely challenging to treat effectively.
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