Have you heard stories about the 'brain-eating amoeba' and been scared? It's normal to feel a little scared about something like this when you go swimming with your friends in a lake, stream, or pond. This is actually one of the rarest, but also most dangerous infections in the world. So, it's more important than being scared to be aware of it. Today, let's talk about exactly who this amoeba is, how it enters our bodies, and what ways we can protect ourselves.
Who really is this 'brain-eating amoeba'?
Simply put, this is a tiny organism made up of a single cell. To be precise, it is a microorganism belonging to the group called amoeba. This species was first discovered in 1965. Its scientific name is `Naegleria fowleri` .
If this organism enters the human body, it goes straight to the brain, causing a very serious infection and swelling of the brain. Doctors call this condition Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) . Over time, this amoeba "eats" away at brain tissue, destroying it. That's why it's called the "brain-eating amoeba."
This amoeba is so small that we can't see it with the naked eye. We have to look at it with a microscope. Imagine, while the width of our hair is about 40-50 micrometers, the size of this amoeba is about 8-15 micrometers.
Where can this amoeba live?
This amoeba, called `Naegleria fowleri`, particularly prefers warm, untreated freshwater. It can survive temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, it is very important that we are aware of where this organism can be found.
| Places where amoeba can be found | Important points |
|---|---|
| Hot lakes, ponds and rock caves | The risk of low water levels and hot water is especially high during the summer. |
| Slow-flowing warm rivers and streams | The risk is higher in areas with low water levels and low flow. |
| Swamps and muddy places | They can live in muddy places where water does not drain. |
| Uncleaned swimming pools and spas | Pools that are not properly cleaned with chlorine. |
| Unpurified well water or tap water | Water sources that have not been properly treated. |
| Hot springs and other geothermal water sources | Places with naturally warm water. |
But remember this: This amoeba cannot survive in salt water (seawater) . Also, this organism cannot survive in properly chlorinated swimming pools or properly treated tap water .
How does this infection enter our body?
Here's the most important thing we all need to be aware of. When we hear the word 'brain-eating amoeba', we think of a little monster coming to find our brains. But the truth is different.
The only way this infection can enter the body is through the nose.
Imagine that you are swimming in a lake or pond where these amoebas are present. When you dive, jump, or do something like `water skiing`, the water can quickly enter your nose. At that time, the amoebas in the water enter your body through your nose.
From there, this amoeba travels along our olfactory nerve and reaches the front of the brain. The brain becomes its food source.
The important thing is, drinking water containing this amoeba does not cause infection. It is destroyed by the acidity of the stomach. For infection to occur, the water must travel through the nose to the brain.
Also, this disease is not transmitted from one person to another. That is, even if you are in contact with an infected person, you will not catch this disease.
What are the symptoms of this and how quickly do they appear?
The initial symptoms of this disease are very similar to those of a common viral meningitis, so it can be difficult to diagnose at first.
Symptoms begin to appear between 2 and 15 days after infection.
| Main Symptoms | |
|---|---|
| • Severe headache | • Fever |
| • Stiff neck | • Vomiting |
| • Anorexia | • Changes in mental status (Confusion) |
| • Seizures | • Going into a coma |
In addition to these, hallucinations, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, and loss of taste may also occur.
The disease is very serious and can lead to death within 3 to 7 days of the onset of symptoms. Only a handful of people in the world have survived this infection. This means that the mortality rate is more than 97%.
What is the diagnosis and treatment of the disease like?
This infection is very difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other diseases and it is very rare. If someone shows these symptoms after swimming in freshwater, doctors may suspect it.
To confirm the disease, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is taken to check for the presence of amoebas. However, these tests can only be performed in a few specialized laboratories. Therefore, the disease is often only definitively diagnosed after the patient has died.
In terms of treatment, although there are several drugs in the experimental stage that can destroy this amoeba, there is still no proven treatment that has been successfully administered to patients.
So, how do we protect ourselves from this?
Although this is a very rare disease, it is said that "prevention is better than cure." So, there are some simple steps we can follow.
- Especially on hot, dry days, avoid swimming, diving, or jumping into warm, still water in lakes, ponds, and streams.
- If you are swimming or playing water sports in such water, wear a nose clip. This can prevent water from entering your nose.
- When bathing in water, avoid stirring up the mud underneath.
- If you are using nasal rinsing or a neti pot, never use tap water. Use only distilled, purified, or sterile water . This is very important.
If someone develops symptoms such as a severe headache, fever, and neck stiffness after swimming in warm freshwater, see a doctor immediately. It is important to let the doctor know that you have recently been in freshwater.
Take-Home Message
- Infection with the 'brain-eating amoeba' is very rare but extremely deadly. It is caused by warm, untreated freshwater.
- Infection occurs only when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose . Infection does not occur by drinking the water.
- Symptoms (severe headache, fever, stiff neck) appear quickly and the condition worsens very rapidly.
- The best way to protect yourself is to avoid diving or jumping into warm, still water. If you do, wear a nose clip.
- Always use only boiled, distilled, or sterile water to clean your nose.
- If the above symptoms appear after swimming in freshwater, seek medical advice immediately and inform the doctor that you have been in the water.
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