Naegleria Infection
(nuh-GLEER-e-uh)
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Naegleria is an ameba commonly found in the environment, in water and soil. Only one species of Naegleria has bee found to infect humans, Naegleria fowleri .
Naegleria fowleri is found worldwide. Most commonly, the ameba is found in
- Warm bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs
- Warm water discharge from industrial plants
- Under-chlorinated swimming pools
- Soil
Although Naegleria is commonly found in the environment, infection occurs rarely.
Only 24 infections were documented in the U.S. between 1989 and 2000.
Infection with Naegleria is most common during the dry, summer months, when the temperature is above 80 ° F and the water is warm and water levels are low.
Infection with Naegleria occurs when the ameba enters the body through the nose while the person is swimming underwater or diving. The ameba then travels to the brain and spinal cord.
Infection with Naegleria causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain inflammation, which leads to the destruction of brain tissue.
Initial signs and symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. As the ameba causes more extensive destruction of brain tissue this leads to confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures, hallucinations. The disease progresses rapidly and infection usually results in death within 3 to 7 days.
Several drugs are effective against Naegleria in the laboratory. However, although a variety of treatments have been used to treat infected persons, their effectiveness is unclear since most infections have still been fatal. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may help.
No. Naegleria infection cannot be spread from person to person contact.
- Avoid swimming or jumping into bodies of warm fresh water
- Avoid swimming in thermally polluted water (water around power plants)
- Do not swim in areas posted as "no swimming."
- Hold the nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into bodies of fresh water.
- Hold the nose shut or use nose clips when jumping or diving into bodies of fresh water.
For further information on protecting yourself from recreational water illnesses, go to www.healthyswimming.org .
No. You cannot get Naegleria infection from a swimming pool as long as the pool is properly cleaned, maintained, and chlorinated.
This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the disease described above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health care provider.
Revised April 2004
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