this post was submitted on 06 Jun 2025
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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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[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 48 points 2 days ago (4 children)

This wasn't the tap waters fault. This was the rv water tanks fault, most likely. Most people pretty much never clean\sanatize them.

[–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Neti pot instructions typically state you need to use distilled or boiled water. You should follow these instructions regardless of the quality of your municipal water. It does not hurt to do so

[–] milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It does not hurt to do so

Unless, like another commenter, you panic and forget to let the boiled water cool enough!

[–] Nindelofocho@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Pro tip, boil water and put it in the freezer for later! /s

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[–] rob_t_firefly@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'll just keep chilling out safely over here on Team Blow Your Nose With A Tissue.

[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 day ago

You can use steam to break up mucus, making it easier to use a tissue

[–] NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

For as much as I despise the pool water that comes out of my tap I can at least feel safe using my neti pot.

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[–] CidVicious@sh.itjust.works 107 points 2 days ago (18 children)

Neti pots and similar have very, very clear warnings that the water needs to be sterilized.

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[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 3 points 1 day ago

Apparently this is why you can’t actually go in the Roman Baths in Bath.

[–] JamesBoeing737MAX@sopuli.xyz 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I'm getting convinced kennedy's worm caused this.

Just pick your nose like a normal person. Sheesh.

[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Skill issue, didn't watch House M.D.

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[–] xeekei@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 day ago (7 children)

Can this happen in Sweden as well? 'Cos I clean mine with shower water almost every shower.

[–] Quexotic@infosec.pub 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Use distilled ONLY. With good chlorinated city water systems it's still very unlikely to happen, but it's such a horrible way to go, just get some distilled from the store.

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 day ago

The amoeba can survive chlorination, that's why boiled or distilled is necessary

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[–] milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I believe the amoeba grows in warm water, which is why hot springs in New Zealand are at risk. So hopefully you're more safe! You might want to check better info than me though!

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