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If You’re Going Freshwater Swimming This Summer, Make Sure to Take Precautions Against This Amoeba

Use a nose clip or don't submerge under water to avoid contracting meningitis from this common amoeba. Photo: Flickr Creative Commons
Use a nose clip or don't submerge under water to avoid contracting meningitis from this common amoeba. Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

Freshwater swimmers are being warned to wear nose clips as the weather gets warmer. Florida Department of Health’s Kent Donahue says the amoeba called Naegleria fowleri found in ponds, lakes, and even untreated pools and hot tubs can cause a type of deadly meningitis.

“Unfortunately, it’s almost always fatal. And the amoeba travels up the swimmer’s nose to the brain and spinal cord, it definitely happens during the activities of swimming, diving, skiing, or wake boarding so you want to make sure you take precautions when you’re doing these activities this summer.”

The amoeba infects the brain and spine after entering through a swimmer’s nose. Symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting require, that may not present for two weeks after water activities, require immediate medical attention.

To listen to the full story, please click on the clip above.

 

Danielle Prieur is WMFE's education reporter.