The recent tragic death of a man in Kerala’s Alappuzha district brings to light the dangers of a lesser-known health threat, Naegleria fowleri. Often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba,” this single-cell organism has proved fatal, causing an infection that led to a week-long high fever followed by rapid deterioration in the victim’s health.
Understanding Naegleria fowleri
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism, invisible to the naked eye, typically found in warm freshwater environments like lakes, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools. Named the “brain-eating amoeba” due to its destructive effect on the brain, it can cause severe infections – the most severe being primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
How The Amoeba Spreads
It is interesting to note that Naegleria fowleri infection doesn’t spread from person to person. Instead, the amoeba enters the human body through the nose when a person dives, swims, or uses contaminated water for religious rituals. It then travels to the brain via the olfactory nerve, creating inflammation and destroying brain tissue.
Who Is At Risk?
While the human body is in general susceptible to Naegleria fowleri, infections are incredibly rare. Certain conditions and factors can increase a person’s vulnerability, including a weakened immune system, history of nasal or sinus issues, and engagement in activities involving exposure to warm freshwater.
Symptoms and Prognosis
Symptoms usually surface within a week of infection and consist of severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, and hallucinations. The course of the infection is swift, often leading to coma and death. The prognosis of those infected is bleak, with survival rates being distressingly low.
Treatment Options
Treatment for a Naegleria fowleri infection includes a combination of drugs. The drug Miltefosine has demonstrated effectiveness in exterminating this deadly amoeba in laboratory settings and has been successfully used in the treatment of a few survivors. Despite these advances in treatment, the chances of surviving this infection remain quite low. Data indicates a death rate of about 97 per cent among people who contract this infection.
The case in Kerala’s Alappuzha district underlines the importance of spreading awareness about Naegleria fowleri. As the understanding and knowledge about this pathogenic amoeba increase, hopefully, so will the chances of treatment success and survival.