Brain-Eating Amoeba: How it Spreads, Warning Signs and Treatment Options!

Brain-Eating Amoeba, also known as Naegleria fowleri, is a rare germ that can lead to a serious brain infection called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). Different reports have recently been coming from various parts of India have drawn attention to this infection that occurs when contaminated warm freshwater goes up the nose and reaches the brain via the nerve that we use for smelling.

Although very rare, it can be life-threatening if missed in the early stage, says a neurologist at PSRI Hospital. The infection has become so serious that public health advisories and campaigns for spreading awareness have been initiated all over the country. 

Our medical experts at PSRI Hospital, the best neuro hospital in Delhi, advise everyone to stay alert about the early brain-eating amoeba symptoms, take precautions with water consumption and call a doctor without delay if any sign of disease after exposure to freshwater ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌appears.

Read on to learn how this infection spreads, its symptoms and how our team of intensive-care experts manage such neurological emergencies with advanced infection-control and 24×7 critical care.

How the Brain-Eating Amoeba Spreads?

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and poorly chlorinated swimming pools. It can also survive in soil and sediment or unclean domestic water systems.

Infection happens only when contaminated water enters the nose. From there it travels through the olfactory nerve pathway that connects the nose to the brain where it causes brain tissue destruction, brain swelling and severe inflammation.

Risk situations include:

• Swimming in contaminated water during summer or in shallow warm lakes.
• Diving or jumping into a still or stagnant freshwater mainly if the bottom mud is getting disturbed.
• Using a neti pot or other nasal rinse device with unboiled or tap water.
• Pools that are poorly chlorinated or hot springs that are not treated where water disinfection is weak.

The infection cannot be obtained by drinking water or from person-to-person contact. Warm water temperatures and climate change may increase the risk in certain areas which is why it is still important to regularly chlorinate and check water for ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌safety.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Naegleria Fowleri Infection

Brain-eating amoeba symptoms appear within 1 to 9 days after exposure. Early signs look like brain infection and can escalate quickly.

Early symptoms include:

• Fever, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck and nausea.
• Fatigue or loss of smell.

Progressive signs:

• Confusion,‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ seizures, hallucinations and coma.
• Impairment of the nervous system due to amoeba infection like losing balance or concentration.

It develops very quickly, being frequently mistaken for bacterial meningitis at the early stage. Persons with such symptoms and a history of swimming in warm natural water should go to a doctor without delay because PAM is a neurological emergency that needs immediate assessment.

Brain-Eating Amoeba Treatment and Diagnosis 

It is very difficult to identify the infection in its early stages, and therefore, the diagnosis of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis is usually made only after a thorough medical examination and laboratory testing.

Brain-Eating Amoeba Treatment is mainly about controlling the infection and brain swelling quickly:

• Medicines like Amphotericin B and Miltefosine are used to kill the amoeba and stop the infection.
• Other supportive medicines (such as rifampin and fluconazole, used in combination with amphotericin B and miltefosine) help reduce brain swelling and protect brain function.
• Patients are treated in a neuro ICU where our doctors monitor breathing, blood pressure and fluids round the clock.
• Early treatment gives the best chance of recovery and limits brain damage.

As the infection can become worse very quickly, the timely diagnosis is the only way to survive in PAM. We implement rigorous hospital protocols for PAM, infection-control measures and 24×7 care to provide a better outcome for such rare but fatal ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌infections.

PAM Prevention and Safety Tips: How to Reduce the Risk?

Prevention from brain eating amoeba, or PAM is still the most protective defense. Here’s the list of recommended prevention steps from our expert neurologists at PSRI Hospital: 

• Avoid swimming in warm freshwater lakes, ponds or canals during hot months.
• Use nose clips or keep the head above water when swimming.
• Do not stir sediment at the bottom in shallow areas.
• Ensure pools and water parks maintain safe chlorine levels and routine cleaning and disinfection.
• For nasal irrigation, always use boiled and cooled, filtered or distilled water.
• Never use tap water directly in neti pots or similar devices.
• Follow public health guidelines for swimming safety and stay updated about local freshwater alerts.

Simple measures like these significantly reduce the risk of brain-eating amoeba infection while allowing safe enjoyment of water activities.

In Case You Spot Any PAM Symptoms, Book an Appointment with Our Expert Neurologist at PSRI Now! 

The Naegleria fowleri or brain-eating amoeba infection is extremely rare but dangerous. Knowing how it spreads, spotting symptoms early and reaching the right hospital quickly can save lives.

At PSRI, the best hospital in Delhi, our neurology and critical care specialists provide advanced treatment for neurological emergencies including barin eating amoeba using modern ICU facilities and evidence-based care. With over 50,000 successful treatments and NABH & NABL accreditations, PSRI is trusted for its expert doctors, safe environment and 24×7 emergency support. Get in touch today!

• For Emergency Cases: +91 84 84 84 84 17|Toll-Free: 1800-102-2202 |Visit Us At : Press Enclave Marg, Sheikh Sarai II, Near Saket Court, New Delhi, 110017

FAQ’s

1. Is swimming in a chlorinated pool safe?
   Ans. Properly maintained pools with correct chlorine levels are generally safe, as chlorine kills Naegleria fowleri.
2. How soon do PAM symptoms appear after exposure?
   Ans. Symptoms of brain-eating amoeba infection usually start within one to nine days, often beginning with headache, fever and vomiting.
3. Can the brain-eating amoeba infection spread from one person to another?
   Ans. No amoeba spreads only when contaminated water enters the nose it does not spread by contact or drinking.
4. What should I do if I use tap water for nasal cleansing?
   Ans. If you develop any headache or fever afterward, contact a doctor immediately. Always use boiled or distilled water for future rinses.