Naegleria fowleri, a free-living brain-eating amoeba, can cause an infection of the brain called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). It affects people when the contaminated water enters the body through the nose. After entering the nose, it infects the brain causing PAM. It occurs commonly in people swimming or diving in warm freshwater places.
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I got tap water up my nose. Should I visit an ER?
Query: Hello doctor, I am in a subtropical state. As I was washing my face a few days ago, I accidentally got some tap water up my nose. Vaguely aware that there might be concerns about the Naegleria fowleri amoeba down here, I panicked and then took some bottled mineral water and tried to rinse my nose wi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Firstly, do not worry at all. Please let me know exactly how many days have passed after the exposure. Also, know these facts: Naegleria infection is very rare. Less than 200 cases are reported till date. It spreads very rapidly and symptoms appear within five to 10 d... Read Full »
My son submerged his head in a creek. Please help.
Query: Hi doctor,My son is seven years old. He has been at camp all week. Today they played in the creek. He said he put his head in the water, and it immediately concerned me about Naegleria fowleri. I remember a girl dying from it on a rafting trip with her family a few years ago. My son said he pecked h... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Does he show any symptoms like fever, swelling in lymph nodes, or night sweats? Have you noticed anything unusual after the incident? Please reply to me with the above-asked questions so I can better guide you. I wish good health to your ... Read Full »
Could inserting a contaminated Q-tip up my nose cause an infection to the olfactory mucosa?
Query: Hello doctor, I am experiencing high levels of anxiety due to my fear of water entering my nose. Here is my situation: I came out of the shower and inserted a three inch Q-tip up my nose. It went in 2 inches deep from the nostrils. My fear is that my nose might have had water in it from the shower, ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to the icliniq family. I understand your anxiousness. Please do not worry. Let me help you. The olfactory mucosa is deeply located near the skull base, specifically in the cribriform area. There is no way a QTIP can reach that space. During endoscopy, doctors employ careful maneu... Read Full »
Can I get a PAM infection by a few drops of tap water that accidentally entered my nose?
Query: Hello doctor, I was washing dishes in the kitchen and water bounced off and one to two drops entered my nose and it felt like it went to my throat. I am now concerned about Naegleria fowleri or PAM. I know some people who have gotten it from tap water while rinsing their sinuses. I read that the am... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The olfactory bulb lies above the roof of the nose. The distance between the nasal opening and the olfactory bulb is less than 3.9 inches. Do not worry. A few drops cannot produce an infection as you mentioned. To have an infection in the olfactory bulb or even in... Read Full »
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