Woman dies of brain-eating amoeba after using tap water in nasal rinse device

A woman in Texas has died after contracting a fatal brain amoeba from contaminated water The person had used a nasal irrigation device filled with unboiled tap water from an RV s water faucet according to an alert from the U S Centers for Illness Control and Prevention CDC The previously healthy woman was staying at a local campground at the time the agency stated DANGEROUS FUNGUS COULD SPREAD TO PARTS OF US RESEARCHERS CLAIMWithin four days of using the nasal rinse the woman developed severe neurologic characteristics including fever headache and altered mental status The case was treated for a anticipated infection of primary amebic meningoencephalitis PAM a rare deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri also known as the brain-eating amoeba Despite restoration the woman began having seizures and died eight days after characteristics began Testing of the sufferer s cerebrospinal fluid proven she had contracted N fowleri according to the CDC This matter reinforces the expected for serious medical risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards the wellbeing agency stated Naegleria fowleri can also be a hazard when swimming in fresh water It is more prevalent during hotter months as the amoeba grows best in high air and water temperatures Fox News Digital previously spoke with Tammy Lundstrom chief medicinal officer and infectious condition specialist for Trinity Wellbeing in Michigan about the risks of infection The menace of brain-eating amoeba is very low she stated Fewer than people in the U S every year get infected but unfortunately the greater part cases are fatal There are only a handful of survivors of known cases The death rate for Naegleria fowleri exceeds per the CDC The initial characteristics of PAM usually begin about five days after exposure but they can be noticed sooner Early signs usually include headache nausea fever and or vomiting the CDC s website states As the infection progresses people may experience confusion stiff neck disorientation hallucinations seizures and coma DANGEROUS FUNGUS SPREADING IN US HOSPITALS HAS RAPIDLY INCREASED' People usually start to feel ill one to days after water exposure Lundstrom reported Early indicators should prompt a curative evaluation as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis Death can occur anywhere between one and days of infection at an average of five days To prevent contracting the fatal infection the CDC recommends using distilled sterile or boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation as improperly maintained municipal water and RV water systems carry the vulnerability of ailment It is also best to avoid immersing your head in the water when swimming in summer Lundstrom narrated Fox News Digital Infection occurs when water harboring the amoeba goes up a person s nose usually during swimming she disclosed It is not known why selected people get infected and others even swimming companions do not Drinking contaminated water does not present a jeopardy and the infection does not spread from one person to another Lundstrom added Because the amoeba is determined in soil the CDC also recommends avoiding stirring up the sediment at the bottom of lakes ponds and rivers When a person has been diagnosed with a brain-eating amoeba medication usually includes a variety of antifungal medications as well as antibiotics like rifampin and azithromycin according to Lundstrom CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR VITALITY NEWSLETTERMiltefosine a newer antifungal drug has been shown to kill Nagleria fowleri in laboratory tests and was used to treat specific surviving patients the CDC states on its website However the effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate Lundstrom noted Those who experience sudden headache fever stiff neck or vomiting especially if they have in the last few days been swimming in warm freshwater should seek immediate healthcare attention the CDC recommends For more Strength articles visit www foxnews com healthDespite the infection s high fatality rate Lundstrom emphasized the rarity of cases Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer but only a sparse become infected she declared