06/07/2025
Naegleria fowleri, often called the brain-eating amoeba, is a parasite found in warm freshwater like lakes, ponds, and rivers. It’s not something to panic about, but it’s good to be aware of how it works. Infections happen when contaminated water enters the nose—usually while swimming or diving—allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain and cause a serious infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This condition leads to severe brain swelling and is usually fatal. However, it’s important to know that simply swallowing contaminated water does not cause the infection.
Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 8 days after exposure and may include fever, headache, nausea, confusion, seizures, and eventually coma. Some cases even show signs similar to meningitis. The disease progresses quickly, and very few people have survived it. Still, cases are extremely rare. From 2009 to 2018, only 34 infections were reported in the entire United States, even though millions swim in freshwater every year.
To reduce your risk, it’s best to avoid freshwater swimming in hot weather. If you do swim, try not to let water enter your nose—use nose clips, avoid jumping or diving, and rinse your nasal passages with distilled or boiled water afterward. While media reports have stirred fear, the real focus should be on awareness and simple prevention—not panic.
