According to the state health official, a 14-year-old boy died due to the 'brain-eating amoeba'

What is the new Brain Eating Virus Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis aka PAM and its symptoms? In  Kerela, a new virus named amoeba is spreading. A new case has been reported from Kerela where a 14-year-old boy died due to this ailment. So, what is this Amoeba and how does it spread? 

The rare brain infection is caused by Naegleria Fowleri, which is also called 'brain-eating amoeba', that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, hot springs, and rivers. The brain-eating amoeba enters the body through the nose during swimming, travels to the brain, and destroys brain tissue causing swelling.

According to the state health official, a 14-year-old boy died due to the 'brain-eating amoeba' and the doctors doing the treatment that the boy was undergoing treatment for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare infection caused by  Naegleria Fowleri. the boy died at a private hospital in Kerala on Wednesday. 

The boy liked swimming and there was a small pond where he had been swimming. The infection was traced back to that small pond, prompting immediate preventive measures by health authorities. 

since May, it was the third case of this infection in Kerela. The disease was very rare seen in the people of that place but deadly disease has previously claimed several lives in the state. Now a question arrived in everyone's mind, in what circumstances can one be affected by it, and what are the associated symptoms, we explain...

HOW DOES 'BRAIN EATING AMOEBA' INFECT PEOPLE?

The  'brain-eating amoeba' infects an individual by entering through the nose during activities such as Swimming. Moreover, while swimming it enters the brain through the nose, where it destroys the brain tissue and causes swelling. 

 Also, it is important to know that, this  ailment is not a communicable disease or cannot be infected by drinking contaminated water 

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is caused by Naegleria Fowleri, a single-celled organism that lives in warm fresh water and soil. The amoeba infects people by entering the body through the nose, typically when they are swimming. Once inside, it travels to the brain, causing severe damage and inflammation.
The amoeba thrives in temperatures up to 46 degrees Celsius and can be found in warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, rivers, poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads, surf parks, and other recreational water venues.

WHAT ARE ITS SYMPTOMS?
 
The  Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, symptoms can escalate to a stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and eventually coma.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin, usually leading to coma and death after about five days.

Currently, there are no treatments for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Doctors use a combination of drugs, including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone, but these treatments have not been consistently effective.

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