The Amoeba That Swims Up Your Nose To Your Brain (infection, ears)

[LauraC]

We had a thread about this problem a couple of years ago on this forum. I believe at the time someone in Tennessee died. This is the second death this year, this one in Virginia.

"The Virginia Department of Health does not know — and may never know — from which body of water a Virginia child contracted a deadly infection from an amoeba...Her department received results from an autopsy Friday that confirmed the cause of death as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is caused by Naegleria fowleri. She said the amoebas, which swim up the nose and enter the brain, live in freshwater bodies around the world. The amoebas are particularly prevalent in shallow, still water during warm weather"

Amoeba caused Henrico boy's fatal infection | Richmond Times-Dispatch

It's just a cautionary post for people new to the area from colder places.

[hiknapster]

I think this is the thread, but it was in AZ. They had also found it in TX and FL. If it happened in VA, though, it might be able to be found anywhere.

Brain Eating Amoeba

[nashvols]

Interesting. Unless it becomes a lot more prevalent, though, I don’t really see a reason to fear it any more than, say, getting struck by lightning.

[TN Tin Man]

It's caused by stagnant slow moving water that's 84 degrees or hotter. Just another way Mother Nature telling us who's in charge. It can either enter threw the nose or the membrane around the eyes.
The nasal passage is the most common..

[brent6969]

That is grotesque, alien like.

[D. Scott]

Although this is weird though..An Amoeba..Yikes!

[D217]

Not as bad as the fish that swims up your urethra...or is this worse?!

[hiknapster]

Official solution: Hold your nose!

To Avoid Brain-Eating Amoebas, Hold Your Nose : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

[MaryleeII]

I read about a guy who lived in Louisiana, used a netti pot and died from an amoeba that got into his brain. sounds like something form a Si Fi horror!

Apparently, he used tap water, yet there were amoebas in that. Make sure to use distilled water if using a netti pot!

[christina0001]

!!!!! OMG!!! That is freaky!!!