Anyone else terrified of the brain eating amoeba? (infection, symptoms, exercise)

[waviking24]

This is probably the scariest disease I've ever heard of. It goes up through the nose and attacks the brain and it lives in lakes, rivers, wells and even water heaters!!! I haven't washed my face or let water touch my head or nose since I first heard of it.

[jaminhealth]

I don't know what you are talking about.

[snj90]

A bit wary of very warm fresh water. Its sole point of entry is through the nose, though. Believe it can be found in, like, half of freshwater sources in the USA, but mainly in water over 80f, and infection occurs through the nose.

Very scary disease... 100% fatal in the rare cases that it happens.

[lunetunelover]

Originally Posted by waviking24

I haven't washed my face or let water touch my head or nose since I first heard of it.

Aside from being gross, it's also a bit on the paranoid side.


You cannot get the brain eating amoeba from treated water.


Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria Fowleri): Causes and Symptoms

Where Are Brain-Eating Amoebas Found?
Naegleria loves very warm water. It can survive in water as hot as 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
These amoebas can be found in warm places around the globe. N. fowleri is found in:

• Warm lakes, ponds, and rock pits
• Mud puddles
• Warm, slow-flowing rivers, especially those with low water levels
• Untreated swimming pools and spas
• Untreated well water or untreated municipal water
• Hot springs and other geothermal water sources
• Thermally polluted water, such as runoff from power plants
• Aquariums
• Soil, including indoor dust

Naegleria can't live in salt water. It can't survive in properly treated swimming pools or in properly treated municipal water.

I would say it's safe to take a shower now.

[lunetunelover]

Originally Posted by snj90

Very scary disease... 100% fatal in the rare cases that it happens.

Yes very scary. There have been survivors so it's not 100% fatal (but it's definitely up there!)

[nmnita]

let's just say, there are those who are paranoid of almost anything: this is one of those cases. Relax and enjoy life. Did it occur to you that there have been people who have walked out to their mail boxes and gotten by lightening? Maybe none of us should get our mail or even get in our car?

[waviking24]

Originally Posted by nmnita

let's just say, there are those who are paranoid of almost anything: this is one of those cases. Relax and enjoy life. Did it occur to you that there have been people who have walked out to their mail boxes and gotten by lightening? Maybe none of us should get our mail or even get in our car?

So I'm paranoid because I don't want to give a deadly organism the chance to take hold and infect me?

[waviking24]

Originally Posted by lunetunelover

Aside from being gross, it's also a bit on the paranoid side.


You cannot get the brain eating amoeba from treated water.


Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria Fowleri): Causes and Symptoms





I would say it's safe to take a shower now.

We use well water. Whenever there's the possibility that water got up my nose I'm just horrified for the next week because that's how long it takes for symptoms to appear.

[Mikala43]

Well, that's pretty (very, very, very....) low on my list of things to worry about.

[Nov3]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

Well, that's pretty (very, very, very....) low on my list of things to worry about.

Fear not Mikala! I'll worry for ya! Now I have to row my boat across the pond to get my mail all in the hopes that the amoeba or lightening doesn't get me. Never mind if Nessie decides to surface. Wish me luck!