Amoeba aka brain fever signs, symptoms and treatment of brain eating
A rare and deadly brain-eating amoebic infection is currently causing a stir in Kerala. The health minister called for precautionary measures and to be safe from the rising amoebic meningoencephalitis cases.
While dengue and malaria cases are on the rise in the country, another rising infection in Kerala has caused a stir. On Monday, Health Minister Veena George issued a warning about rising amoebic meningoencephalitis cases and urged people to be cautious about the rare brain-eating amoebic infection.
In a press conference, George said, “Those using stagnant water for bathing or washing animals should be careful. Seek medical attention if severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting or stiff neck occur after exposure to such water.” She added, “Awareness efforts and preventive measures are being intensified. The Department of Health has issued national guidelines on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.”
What is Amoebic Meningoencephalitis?
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, also known as PAM, is a rare but fatal brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The microscopic amoeba basically grows in warm freshwater environments where the water is mostly stagnant and does not flow. When contaminated water enters the nose and reaches the brain, it poses a significant health risk, causing severe tissue damage and brain swelling.
Signs and symptoms
Early signs of an amoebic infection can easily be mistaken for a common viral illness, making early diagnosis difficult. Some symptoms include:
- headache
- fever
- nausea
- confusion
- hallucinatory
- stiff neck
The disease progresses rapidly, often leading to coma or even death within days of the onset of symptoms.
Caution
It is important to remember that PAM is an uncommon and deadly infection. It cannot be transmitted through direct contact. Avoiding warm freshwater areas, frequent and regular pool chlorination, and using appropriate clips and covers when swimming in pools should minimize exposure to the environment.
Currently, there is no definitive treatment for amoebic meningoencephalitis, and it can be serious if not treated on time.
