Naegleria

Naegleria infection is caused by a 'brain eating amoeba' which is commonly found in fresh water lakes, rivers or hot springs. You can also become infected by it whilst swimming in pools and engaging in other fresh water sports. This amoeba usually travels through the nose and enters the brain where is causes severe damage. The symptoms start to show within 24 hours of contact and the amoeba can take your life within 7 days.

As a preventive measure, chlorine should be poured in your home tanks to kill any such amoeba which may exist in the water.

For frequent swimmers, during the summers, it is important that you choose the swimming pools wisely and make sure that the authorities keep it well maintained on a regular basis.

When to seek expert advise

Consult our doctors working with the Section of Internal Medicine at the Aga Khan University Hospital immediately if you see a sudden onset of any of the above symptoms. Especially if water has gone up your nose while swimming, ablution, bathing or any water activity. You can rapidly consult the ​Department of Emergency Medicine at the Aga Khan University Hospital as well where the team has been trained to screen Naegleria swiftly and will perform the required test immediately, if need be.