Brain-Eating Amoeba: Here's Everything You Need To Know

By Bharati Kumari
10 Jul 2023, 18:03 IST

Brain-Eating Amoeba is a single-cell organism found in lakes, rivers as well as poorly maintained swimming pools.

Fatality Rate

Once brain-Eating Amoeba has entered your body, it is already too late. The Fatality rate of the infection is 97 per cent.

Enters Through Nose

Brain-Eating Amoeba or Naegleria fowleri enters the human body through the nose and travels its way up to the brain.

Multiplies Rapidly

Once Naegleria fowleri reaches your brain mass, it multiplies itself rapidly. Then it begins to infect brain cells and tissues.

Initial Symptoms

Once the brain is infected, the patient goes through some initial symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, headaches, and nausea.

Later symptoms

As the disease progresses, high fever, vomiting, and abnormal muscle control are noticed in the patient.

Hallucinations

In the last stage of the infection, the patient almost losses his body control and begins to see hallucinations.

Last Stage

After this stage, the death becomes inevitable. 97 percent of people die after 3-7 days of symptoms setting in.

Conclusion

While it is a rare infection, it is best to practice precaution and avoid open, warm water bodies. In case of any symptoms, immediately see a doctor. ( Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention)