New Delhi: Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. The rare condition is triggered by a free-living amoeba and it often thrives in swimming pools and freshwater ponds. In a case reported earlier this year, a five-year-old girl died becaused of the same at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode. This has caused deaths in the past as well and it is imperative to be aware of the symptoms of the same.
Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose and damages the brain. In warm environments, it can survive only for shorter durations. The amoeba can be found in lakes, rivers, surf parks and splash pads or water venues that are rarely chlorinated or poorly maintained. The infection is one that spreads rapidly which is why it is imperative to make efforts towards curbing it.
How to prevent PAM amoeba infection?
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Preetha, Consultant Neurologist at Prashanth Hospitals, Chennai, shared some simple steps to prevent the infection:
Increase vitamin D intake
Quit smoking
Maintain a healthy weight, particularly in adolescence
Can the infection be detected in the early stages?
The expert said that there is no one test that can be done to diagnose this infection. It is diagnosed by combining a set of clinical and MRI findings, electric or neurophysiological investigations and laboratory tests. As there is no cure, what can patients do so that it doesn’t progress further?
There are four levels of disease activity:
Inactive MS – not eligible for DMTs
Active MS – eligible for (interferon-beta, glatiramer acetate, teriflunomide and dimethyl fumarate) and ocrelizumab or ofatumumab.
Highly active MS – eligible for all therapies
Rapidly evolving severe MS – eligible for all DMTs
Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose and damages the brain. In warm environments, it can survive only for shorter durations. The amoeba can be found in lakes, rivers, surf parks and splash pads or water venues that are rarely chlorinated or poorly maintained. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
