River Swim Leaves Girl, age 10, with a brain-eating amoeba

(Newser)
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After a swim during the holiday weekend in the Brazos River in Texas, Lily Mae Avant developed a migraine and fever. Her family took her to a doctor, but she worsened, according to CNN. "She was inconsistent and did not answer," said her family. She was taken to an emergency room and transferred to the Fort Worth Children's Hospital. A lumbar puncture at this location showed that the 10-year-old girl had Naegleria fowleri; the freshwater amoeba enters the swimmers' nose and destroys the brain tissue, according to the CDC. Few people who contract it survive. Lily was placed in a medically induced coma, according to the WFAA. "The doctors told us that they could do nothing more for her," said her aunt.

Since 1962, 145 people have been infected. Four have lived. The family is focused on this figure and prays for five minutes in front of his room Friday night. Supporters publish photos of them displaying a 5 or five finger rising. The high school football teams honored them on Friday night before their matches, on the family's Facebook page. "We have high hopes," said his aunt. "She is a fighter and she has always been a fighter." (Read more devouring amoeba stories.)