Naegleria fowleri Symptoms and Signs

Naegleria fowleri causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis. In this disease brain inflammation and destruction of brain tissue occur. Naegleria fowleri is also called brain-eating amoeba.

Naegleria fowleri Symptoms and Signs typically appear within one to seven days after Naegleria fowleri enters the nose. Sometimes symptoms can be delayed.

At the initial stage, the patient will have a change in the sense of smell or taste. Then patients will gradually develop following Naegleria fowleri symptoms and signs-

Naegleria fowleri Symptoms and Signs

Fever
A headache
Nausea and vomiting
Stiff neck
Loss of appetite

Then, the condition will worsen and patients will have following brain-eating amoeba symptoms and sings-

Brain-eating Amoeba Symptoms and Sings

Altered mental state
Loss of balance
Sleepiness
Drooping eyelid
Blurred vision
Confusion
Hallucinations
Lack of attention
Ataxia
Seizures
Coma

Naegleria fowleri infection is a life-threatening disease. The survival rate is very few even it’s treated. Death usually occurs 7 to 15 days after exposure, or you can say, three to seven days after Naegleria fowleri symptoms and signs appear.

When to make an appointment with a doctor?

If you swim underwater, diving, water skiing, and jumping in warm, still waters during the late summer and have symptoms of Naegleria fowleri, especially a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting, then go to a doctor immediately. Though the survival rate is low, you should not waste a second to seek medical attention.

Naegleria fowleri Diagnosis

The doctor will listen to symptoms and perform a physical examination. He or she will also want to know about the patient’s daily activity such as swimming diving etc. To diagnose Naegleria fowleri or brain-eating amoeba he or she will suggest following tests-

Spinal tap – to detect Naegleria fowleri or brain-eating amoeba under a microscope in the spinal fluid
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology - to detect amoebic DNA in spinal fluid
Imaging tests – CT scan or MRI may be done to find out swelling and bleeding within the brain.