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Electrocell · 08-16-2013, 10:10 AM

Brain-eating amoebas: What you need to know

Naegleria fowleri: A look at the brain-eating amoeba and how to avoid it.

Rex Features

A look at brain tissue infected with Naegleria fowleri.
MSN News 3 hr ago | By Heather Smith, MSN News of MSN News

Florida health officials have issued a warning for swimmers after a boy contracted Naegleria fowleri. Here's what you need to know about the deadly amoeba.

The Florida Department of Health has issued a warning for swimmers after a 12-year-old boy in the southwestern part of the state contracted a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria Fowleri (N. fowleri) while knee boarding with some friends in a water-filled ditch. Officials said that high water temperatures and low water levels combine to create the perfect breeding ground for N. fowleri, and warned the public "to be wary when swimming, jumping or diving in freshwater."

This latest case of infection comes less than a month after an Arkansas girl ended up in a hospital, fighting for her life. Here, we look at what it is and how to avoid the sometimes deadly brain-eating amoeba.

What is it?

N. fowleri is an amoeba that lives in warm freshwater, such as ponds, lakes and hot springs. It also thrives in the soil around it. Normally, it eats the bacteria found in these places, but when presented with the opportunity, it will eat brains. There is no evidence of this organism living in salt water. It is an amoeba belonging to the groups Percolozoa or Heterolobosea.

The amoeba invades the body and causes a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, that eats away at brain tissue and is usually fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

How do you get it?

N. fowleri invades the central nervous system through the nose. From there, the amoeba moves the along olfactory nerve fibers into the brain, where it uses its suckers to devour brain cells. It's difficult to treat because by the time it's been diagnosed, it's already caused significant damage.

N. fowleri is most often caught by people who have been swimming underwater, but it's also thought to be transmitted through inhaling infected dust. Last year, two people died in Louisiana after they used tap water to flush out their sinuses.

Where does it thrive?

Freshwater — especially warm freshwater. Most cases have occurred in Southern or Southwestern states, especially Texas and Florida. It's been known to show up in swimming pools and hot tubs that haven't been properly chlorinated. Last month, a popular water park in Arkansas voluntarily closed after a 12-year old girl who swam there was diagnosed with N. fowleri

How can you avoid them?

N. fowleri infections are very rare — they've only killed 128 Americans between 1962 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But you can reduce your risk of catching it by keeping your head out of the water when you're swimming in water that hasn't been chlorinated. If you're flushing your sinuses, be sure to use distilled or recently boiled water.

How is it treated?

N. fowleri is treated with antifungals, antibiotics and steroids. The most recent survivor, a 12-year-old girl infected at an Arkansas water park, was also treated with an experimental breast cancer drug.

——

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08-16-2013, 10:10 AM	#615
Electrocell Member How Do You Identify?: Stonebutch Preferred Pronoun?: he/hy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: TN Posts: 1,334 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,535 Thanked 2,768 Times in 981 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Guess this is where I post this Brain-eating amoebas: What you need to know Naegleria fowleri: A look at the brain-eating amoeba and how to avoid it. Rex Features A look at brain tissue infected with Naegleria fowleri. MSN News 3 hr ago \| By Heather Smith, MSN News of MSN News Florida health officials have issued a warning for swimmers after a boy contracted Naegleria fowleri. Here's what you need to know about the deadly amoeba. The Florida Department of Health has issued a warning for swimmers after a 12-year-old boy in the southwestern part of the state contracted a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria Fowleri (N. fowleri) while knee boarding with some friends in a water-filled ditch. Officials said that high water temperatures and low water levels combine to create the perfect breeding ground for N. fowleri, and warned the public "to be wary when swimming, jumping or diving in freshwater." This latest case of infection comes less than a month after an Arkansas girl ended up in a hospital, fighting for her life. Here, we look at what it is and how to avoid the sometimes deadly brain-eating amoeba. What is it? N. fowleri is an amoeba that lives in warm freshwater, such as ponds, lakes and hot springs. It also thrives in the soil around it. Normally, it eats the bacteria found in these places, but when presented with the opportunity, it will eat brains. There is no evidence of this organism living in salt water. It is an amoeba belonging to the groups Percolozoa or Heterolobosea. The amoeba invades the body and causes a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, that eats away at brain tissue and is usually fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control. How do you get it? N. fowleri invades the central nervous system through the nose. From there, the amoeba moves the along olfactory nerve fibers into the brain, where it uses its suckers to devour brain cells. It's difficult to treat because by the time it's been diagnosed, it's already caused significant damage. N. fowleri is most often caught by people who have been swimming underwater, but it's also thought to be transmitted through inhaling infected dust. Last year, two people died in Louisiana after they used tap water to flush out their sinuses. Where does it thrive? Freshwater — especially warm freshwater. Most cases have occurred in Southern or Southwestern states, especially Texas and Florida. It's been known to show up in swimming pools and hot tubs that haven't been properly chlorinated. Last month, a popular water park in Arkansas voluntarily closed after a 12-year old girl who swam there was diagnosed with N. fowleri How can you avoid them? N. fowleri infections are very rare — they've only killed 128 Americans between 1962 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But you can reduce your risk of catching it by keeping your head out of the water when you're swimming in water that hasn't been chlorinated. If you're flushing your sinuses, be sure to use distilled or recently boiled water. How is it treated? N. fowleri is treated with antifungals, antibiotics and steroids. The most recent survivor, a 12-year-old girl infected at an Arkansas water park, was also treated with an experimental breast cancer drug. —— Join MSN News on social Share your point of view with us on Facebook Get the latest news and updates on Twitter See photos and videos on Tumblr __________________ Love and accept me for me not someone you want me to be.