General Health
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis also called PAM is a rare brain infection caused by an amoeba named ‘Naegleria fowleri’. Since May, Kerala has reported its fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis. A fourteen-year-old child from Payyoli is presently receiving treatment, and his condition is improving. The earlier cases have resulted in the deaths of three children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation's leading science-based, data-driven service organization, states that Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism that flourishes in freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. ‘Health officials recommend that the public refrain from swimming in waters that are polluted and ensure that swimming pools are properly chlorinated to halt the transmission of this viral infection.
Commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba," it can get into the brain and cause significant damage to brain tissues. Although brain infections resulting from Naegleria fowleri are extremely uncommon, they have a tragic death rate and pose an extreme risk to individuals who come into contact with contaminated water.
Infections caused by Naegleria fowleri usually occur when people swim in warm freshwater bodies in which the amoeba exists. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention state that, although it happens rarely, infections can also happen when contaminated water from other sources gets inside the nose.
People get infected by this amoeba only when it enters the body through the nose, particularly when water is forced into the nose with pressure, like during diving. The infection cannot be caused by swallowing contaminated water, and Naegleria fowleri can't be transmitted from one person to another.
The primary symptoms of the disease include :
The later symptoms are a stiff neck, confusion, decreased awareness of people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, as well as hallucinations. The severity of these symptoms highlights the urgency of seeking immediate medical attention to address the progression of the infection.
Treatment Options Available: Since this infection is so rare, there isn't any method to treat it. In most PAM cases, healing is not possible.
Health experts advise people to focus on taking precautions. Using nose clips while swimming, making sure pools are properly chlorinated, and staying away from dirty bodies of water can all help lower the risk of getting an illness. To stop more people from getting this deadly infection, it is crucial to raise knowledge and take proactive steps.
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