A 15-year-old boy in Kerala has died after being infected with a brain-eating amoeba. The boy, identified as Gurudath, was from Panavally village in Alappuzha district. He had been swimming in a stream near his home on June 29. On July 1, he developed a fever and headache. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
PAM is also known as the “brain-eating amoeba” because it can enter the brain through the nose and destroy brain tissue. The amoeba is found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
Key Information about Brain-Eating Amoeba in Kerala
- Brain-eating amoeba is a rare and fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
- The amoeba is found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
- It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
- The amoeba enters the body through the nose when a person swims or dives in warm freshwater.
- Symptoms of brain-eating amoeba infection usually start within 1 to 7 days after exposure to the amoeba.
- Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, seizures, and coma.
- There is no known cure for brain-eating amoeba infection.
- Treatment is supportive and includes medication to reduce inflammation and control seizures.
- Patients with brain-eating amoeba infection typically die within 1 to 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
- The best way to protect yourself from brain-eating amoeba is to avoid swimming or diving in warm freshwater, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher.
- If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards.
- You should also avoid putting your head underwater in freshwater, such as when water skiing or whitewater rafting.
Gurudath was transferred to the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital on July 2, but his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died on July 7. This is the sixth case of PAM reported in Kerala since 2016.
Health officials have advised people to avoid swimming in warm freshwater bodies, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher. They also advised people to avoid diving or submerging their heads in freshwater. If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards.
PAM is a very rare disease, but it is always fatal once symptoms develop. There is no known cure for the disease.
What is Naegleria fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba that can cause a rare and fatal brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The amoeba is found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
PAM is not contagious. It can only be contracted by swimming or diving in warm freshwater and having the amoeba enter the body through the nose. Once the amoeba enters the nose, it travels to the brain and destroys brain tissue.
Symptoms of PAM
The symptoms of PAM usually start within 1 to 7 days after exposure to the amoeba. The initial symptoms are similar to those of the flu, such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, the patient may experience stiff neck, seizures, and coma.
Treatment for PAM
There is no known cure for PAM. Treatment is supportive and includes medication to reduce inflammation and control seizures. Patients with PAM typically die within 1 to 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
How to prevent PAM
The best way to prevent PAM is to avoid swimming or diving in warm freshwater, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher. If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards. You should also avoid putting your head underwater in freshwater, such as when water skiing or whitewater rafting.
If you experience any symptoms of PAM after swimming or diving in warm freshwater, seek medical attention immediately.
| Characteristic | Information |
| Name | Brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri |
| Location | Found in warm freshwater bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas. |
| How it enters the body | Enters the body through the nose when a person swims or dives in warm freshwater. |
| Symptoms | Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, seizures, coma |
| Treatment | There is no known cure for brain-eating amoeba infection. Treatment is supportive and includes medication to reduce inflammation and control seizures. |
| Survival rate | Very low. Patients with brain-eating amoeba infection typically die within 1 to 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms. |
| Prevention | Avoid swimming or diving in warm freshwater, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher. If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards. You should also avoid putting your head underwater in freshwater, such as when water skiing or whitewater rafting. |
Brain-Eating Amoeba Claims Life of 15-Year-Old Boy in Kerala
A 15-year-old boy in Kerala has died after being infected with a brain-eating amoeba. The boy, identified as Gurudath, was from Panavally village in Alappuzha district. He had been swimming in a stream near his home on June 29. On July 1, he developed a fever and headache. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
PAM is also known as the “brain-eating amoeba” because it can enter the brain through the nose and destroy brain tissue. The amoeba is found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
Gurudath was transferred to the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital on July 2, but his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died on July 7. This is the sixth case of PAM reported in Kerala since 2016.
Health officials have advised people to avoid swimming in warm freshwater bodies, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher. They also advised people to avoid diving or submerging their heads in freshwater. If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards.
PAM is a very rare disease, but it is always fatal once symptoms develop. There is no known cure for the disease.
For more information on PAM, please visit the following websites:
Conclusion
Brain-eating amoeba is a rare and fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
The best way to protect yourself from brain-eating amoeba is to avoid swimming or diving in warm freshwater, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher. If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards. You should also avoid putting your head underwater in freshwater, such as when water skiing or whitewater rafting.
If you think you have been exposed to brain-eating amoeba, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. There is no cure for brain-eating amoeba, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of survival.
The amoeba is most commonly found in warm freshwater bodies with a temperature of at least 70°F (21°C). It can also be found in soil and in poorly chlorinated swimming pools and spas. The amoeba enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain, where it causes a fatal infection.
There is no known cure for brain-eating amoeba infection. Treatment is supportive and includes medication to reduce inflammation and control seizures. Patients with brain-eating amoeba infection typically die within 1 to 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
The incidence of brain-eating amoeba infection is very low. In the United States, there are only about 3 to 7 cases reported each year. However, the infection is always fatal once symptoms develop.
If you are concerned about brain-eating amoeba infection, you should talk to your doctor.
What is brain-eating amoeba?
Brain-eating amoeba is a rare and fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
How does brain-eating amoeba enter the body?
Brain-eating amoeba enters the body through the nose. When a person swims or dives in warm freshwater, the amoeba can enter the nose through the nasal passages and travel to the brain.
What are the symptoms of brain-eating amoeba?
The symptoms of brain-eating amoeba usually start within 1 to 7 days after exposure to the amoeba. The initial symptoms are similar to those of the flu, such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, the patient may experience stiff neck, seizures, and coma.
Is there a cure for brain-eating amoeba?
There is no known cure for brain-eating amoeba. Treatment is supportive and includes medication to reduce inflammation and control seizures. Patients with brain-eating amoeba typically die within 1 to 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
How can I protect myself from brain-eating amoeba?
The best way to protect yourself from brain-eating amoeba is to avoid swimming or diving in warm freshwater, especially during the summer months when the water temperature is higher.
If you do swim in warm freshwater, it is important to rinse your nose thoroughly with clean water afterwards. You should also avoid putting your head underwater in freshwater, such as when water skiing or whitewater rafting.
What should I do if I think I have been exposed to brain-eating amoeba?
If you think you have been exposed to brain-eating amoeba, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. There is no cure for brain-eating amoeba, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of survival.