In this Article

• What is Naegleria?
• Where is Naegleria found?
• How common is Naegleria infection?
• When is Naegleria infection most common?
• How does infection with Naegleria occur?
• What are the signs and symptoms of Naegleria infection?
• What should I do if I have been swimming or playing in freshwater and now think I have symptoms associated with Naegleria?
• Is there treatment for infection with Naegleria?
• Can infection be spread from person-to-person?
• How can I reduce the risk of infection with Naegleria?
• Can I get Naegleria infection from my swimming pool?
• Naegleria Infection Glossary
• Naegleria Infection Index

What are the signs and symptoms of Naegleria infection?

Infection with Naegleria causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain inflammation, which leads to the destruction of brain tissue.

Initial signs and symptoms of PAM start 1 to 14 days after infection. These symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. As the amebae cause more extensive destruction of brain tissue this leads to confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the onset of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually results in death within 3 to 7 days.

What should I do if I have been swimming or playing in freshwater and now think I have symptoms associated with Naegleria?

Infection with Naegleria is very rare and the early symptoms associated with Naegleria may actually be caused by other more common illnesses, such as meningitis. To ensure prompt treatment, people should seek medical care immediately if they develop a sudden onset of two or more of the early symptoms (e.g., fever, headache, stiff neck) at the same time or if symptoms are unusually severe.

Is there treatment for infection with Naegleria?

Several drugs are effective against Naegleria in the laboratory. However, although a variety of treatments have been used to treat infected persons, their effectiveness is unclear since most infections have still been fatal.

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