I never heard of the amoeba until I was 17, when I watched in the news of a kid in Minnesota dying of the amoeba. Another good information you would find useful is for pool owners to have chlorine levels of at least around 3 ppm.
Well actually, most people's immune systems can fight it off with ease. It is only terrifying when the parasite is able to resist it the person's antibodies. Nobody knows how or why this happens. Millions of people are actually exposed to the amoeba (maybe even you, me, and/or the entire Lewis family) but most of them don't get sick to it because the immune system can fight it off. People who do get sick from it are sadly and tragically unfortunate. I am NOT criticizing the amoeba awareness the Lewises in anyway. Rest In Peace Kyle Lewis, you are missed by many. Though, your legend still continues.
Even though most people can fight of the amoeba, I and a lot of researchers still recommend keeping your head above warm water or covering your nose in one.
Niksterrr It’s been four years since I made this post and believe it or not I actually study the amoeba. It’s actually not the amoeba that kills you, it’s your immune system. The problem with the amoeba is that once it enters the brain it starts eating cells which obviously sparks an immune response. The amoeba is able to protect itself from the immune system by becoming a cysts. Because of that the immune system continues to respond to the threat without stoping it. Because this happens in the brain, your brain swells which is dangerous for numerous reasons. Long story short you essentially kill yourself. The reason people don’t get the amoeba often is because it’s rare. Yes your immune system can fight it, but the issue is if it gets into your brain. Your immune system kills you before the amoeba 98% of the time. The other 2% is with extensive treatment that but there will still be permanent damage. If you do not treat it you will die 100% of the time. The amoeba is only found in certain waters and even in said waters the amoeba is still rare for it to enter the nose and reach the brain. The problem occurs when it does. Like you said we are exposed to the amoeba all the time, but it’s not because our immune systems kill it, it’s because it simply doesn’t get to our brain.
Ian Chambers, Good for you! I study all sorts of diseases and infections since I am very intrigued with them. And as for the time you commented this, I can comment to ANYONE. It’s just a hobby of mine. Anyway, stay safe.
This family lost their child to PAM and you came to post that the fatality rate is 98.5% not 99%? Really? What did you actually hope to achieve by leaving this pedantic, tactless comment on the page of a grieving family who has gone to great lengths to help prevent other families from suffering? Time to stop, take a look in the mirror and say, yes, I CAN leave this comment, but SHOULD I?
We are very grateful for your continued work in bringing awareness of the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, and PAM to the public and medical community.
I never heard of the amoeba until I was 17, when I watched in the news of a kid in Minnesota dying of the amoeba. Another good information you would find useful is for pool owners to have chlorine levels of at least around 3 ppm.
I'm glad the world is finally understanding how dangerous this amoeba is
Well actually, most people's immune systems can fight it off with ease. It is only terrifying when the parasite is able to resist it the person's antibodies. Nobody knows how or why this happens. Millions of people are actually exposed to the amoeba (maybe even you, me, and/or the entire Lewis family) but most of them don't get sick to it because the immune system can fight it off. People who do get sick from it are sadly and tragically unfortunate. I am NOT criticizing the amoeba awareness the Lewises in anyway. Rest In Peace Kyle Lewis, you are missed by many. Though, your legend still continues.
Even though most people can fight of the amoeba, I and a lot of researchers still recommend keeping your head above warm water or covering your nose in one.
Niksterrr It’s been four years since I made this post and believe it or not I actually study the amoeba. It’s actually not the amoeba that kills you, it’s your immune system. The problem with the amoeba is that once it enters the brain it starts eating cells which obviously sparks an immune response. The amoeba is able to protect itself from the immune system by becoming a cysts. Because of that the immune system continues to respond to the threat without stoping it. Because this happens in the brain, your brain swells which is dangerous for numerous reasons. Long story short you essentially kill yourself. The reason people don’t get the amoeba often is because it’s rare. Yes your immune system can fight it, but the issue is if it gets into your brain. Your immune system kills you before the amoeba 98% of the time. The other 2% is with extensive treatment that but there will still be permanent damage. If you do not treat it you will die 100% of the time. The amoeba is only found in certain waters and even in said waters the amoeba is still rare for it to enter the nose and reach the brain. The problem occurs when it does. Like you said we are exposed to the amoeba all the time, but it’s not because our immune systems kill it, it’s because it simply doesn’t get to our brain.
Ian Chambers,
Good for you! I study all sorts of diseases and infections since I am very intrigued with them. And as for the time you commented this, I can comment to ANYONE. It’s just a hobby of mine. Anyway, stay safe.
My world stopped too... :'(
I care
Sorry but I have to correct you. But Naegleriasis is 98.5% fatal and medication reduces its fatality to 97%.
This family lost their child to PAM and you came to post that the fatality rate is 98.5% not 99%? Really? What did you actually hope to achieve by leaving this pedantic, tactless comment on the page of a grieving family who has gone to great lengths to help prevent other families from suffering? Time to stop, take a look in the mirror and say, yes, I CAN leave this comment, but SHOULD I?