Ameba "eat brains": five points to consider | Chronic

The confirmation of another fatal case by the appearance of Naegleria fowleri – an amoebic brain disease that caused the death of a girl this week – continues to sow more and more worry in the world because she has not healed yet.

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However, there is a list of elements to understand what this amoeba is about and how it attacks people:

1.- How do these things infect people?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the amoeba – called Naegleria fowleri or N. fowleri – is found mainly in warm freshwaters and on land. It infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Important: You can not infect yourself by swallowing infected water or contact with it.

2.- So, I can not go swimming without worrying?

N. Fowleri thrives in warm fresh waters, such as springs and lakes in summer. If you want to be very careful, you might want to stick to the salt water, which would mean going to sea. But the CDC notes that it's hard to predict where an infection could occur: "The reason that some people are infected with N. Fowleri is unknown, while millions of others exposed to hot water in recreational places are not infected, including those who were swimming with infected persons. "

3.- Are many people infected?

The CDC continues to consider amoebic meningoencephalitis (MAP) as a rare disease. A total of 133 infections were reported between 1962 and 2014. Infected persons frequently participated in water-related activities – such as swimming under water, diving, and diving into the water. water – which may have caused water will enter the nose through the brain. If any of these activities make you feel that you are at risk, it is best to avoid it.

4.- What are the symptoms?

During the first stage of infection, a person may have fever, nausea and vomiting, as well as severe headaches. As the disease progresses, the victim may experience cervical stiffness, hallucinations, seizures, altered mental status and coma.

5.- Is there a cure for her?

Not yet. Due to the relatively low incidence of the disease (0 to 8 infections per year), researchers must still understand why so many people swimming in hot water are not infected. Even when 4 people have survived the MAP infection, this is almost always fatal.