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Texas woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after cleaning sinuses with tap water (www.nbcnews.com)

submitted 3 days ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world

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The woman contracted a fatal infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba and died eight days after developing symptoms.

A Texas woman died from an infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba days after she cleaned her sinuses using tap water, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case report.

The woman, an otherwise healthy 71-year-old, developed "severe neurologic symptoms," including fever, headache and an altered mental status, four days after she filled a nasal irrigation device with tap water from her RV's water system at a Texas campsite, the CDC report said.

She was treated for primary amebic meningoencephalitis — a brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba." Despite treatment, the woman experienced seizures and died from the infection eight days after she developed symptoms, the agency said.

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[–] peregrin5@lemm.ee 12 points 3 days ago (2 children)

My libertarian uncle swore basically anything could be cured with a neti pot. He forced me to use one when I was having issues with allergies.

It didn't help one bit and was one of the most uncomfortable experiences in my life. This just turns me off to it even more.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

most uncomfortable experiences in my life

I'm not a medical doctor... but yeah, a neti pot won't fix a broken bone. That being said it should NOT be unpleasant at all! You should be able to breath, talk, heck even sing while using it. The water MUST be at exactly the right temperature (if you pour it on the back of your hand, it should not feel warm or cold) and the salt must be precisely the measured amount, not a gram more or less. This way it will not burn your nostril or give you any kind of reaction, just water flowing. If you do this right, which honestly takes a minute more, then it's not disturbing at all.

[–] Romkslrqusz@lemm.ee 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Yeah, you’re not supposed to use it when you’re fully congested because the water will just get trapped and sit.

There’s a bit of a learning curve and people hesitating can end up with the uncomfortable sensation of “water up your nose” but it really is awesome and life changing once you figure it out.

[–] utopiah@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

you’re not supposed to use it when you’re fully congested

Yes, ideally you use it BEFORE precisely to prevent this kind of state.

[–] peregrin5@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

I'll take your word for it. I'm never doing it again.