Nasal rinses can give you brain-eating amoeba

If you rinse your nose with the “wrong” water, there is a risk of becoming infected with a brain-eating amoeba, reports ClickOn.

Photo: iStock.com/Love Employee

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report that links the infection Acanthamoeba with neti pots and other nasal rinsing devices.

A neti pot is a vessel with a convenient spout, specially made for clearing the sinuses with a particular liquid.

The study found that in 10 cases of invasive Acanthamoeba infection, humans were infected through nasal rinsing.

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Acanthamoeba is a microscopic free-living amoeba that lives in the environment. It can cause rare but serious illness and even death. This amoeba occurs throughout the world, most often in soil, dust, fresh, brackish and sea water. It lives in swimming pools, hot tubs, drinking water and HVAC systems.

What water to use

Flushing your sinuses with tap water is not safe. This is because in the United States, small numbers of microscopic organisms can be found in tap water. It is generally safe to drink or cook with, but can be dangerous when used in a humidifier or as a nasal rinse.

For your safety, use boiled, sterile or distilled water. For the first option, just boil the water for one minute and cool it.

Eye infection

Acanthamoeba infection has only recently become associated with nasal irrigation. Previously, its occurrence was explained by poor hygiene in people using contact lenses.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is an eye infection primarily associated with contact lens use. But, according to the latest data, it can develop in any person.

The CDC said poor contact lens hygiene and wearing them while swimming or showering increase the risk of infection. This may happen due to:

• improper storage and handling of lenses;
• improper disinfection of lenses (using tap water or homemade solutions to clean lenses);
• swimming, taking a hot tub, or showering with contact lenses;
• contact with contaminated water;
• a history of corneal trauma.

Acanthamoeba is not transmitted from person to person.

Symptoms

Acanthamoeba causes three main types of diseases, affecting the eyes, brain and spinal cord, as well as infections that spread throughout the body.

They manifest themselves differently in each person, but you should pay attention to:

• eye pain;
• redness of the eyes;
• blurred vision;
• sensitivity to light;
• feeling of something in the eye.

A microbe can enter the body through one point and then spread throughout the human body. This type of infection is called Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE). It may or may not contain a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord.

GAE is usually characterized by symptoms of pneumonia or sinus inflammation and/or skin infections. It has the potential to spread to the brain. Skin infections caused by Acanthamoeba may appear as reddish nodules, skin ulcers, or abscesses on the skin.

The most characteristic symptoms of GAE are:

• mental status changes;
• loss of coordination;
• heat;
• muscle weakness or partial paralysis affecting one side of the body;
• double vision in the eyes;
• sensitivity to light;
• other neurological problems.

Treatment

The CDC said it is extremely it's important diagnose acanthamoeba keratitis at an early stage. There are several prescription eye medications available, but the infection can be difficult to treat. The best treatment options should be determined by your eye doctor. If you think your eyes are infected with Acanthamoeba, contact your eye doctor immediately.

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Skin infections caused by Acanthamoeba that have not spread to the central nervous system can be treated, although it is a serious infection. Affected people usually have a weakened immune system, so early diagnosis is the best way to treat.
Most cases of Acanthamoeba (granulomatous amoebic encephalitis) infection of the brain are fatal.

How to prevent infection

The CDC has provided the following recommendations for contact lens wearers:

• Visit your ophthalmologist for regular eye exams;
• Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your ophthalmologist;
• Remove contact lenses before any activity involving water, particularly in the shower, hot tub, or swimming;
• Before handling contact lenses, wash your hands with soap and dry them;
• Clean your contact lenses according to your eye care professional's instructions and manufacturer's recommendations.
• never reuse or add old solution to new one;
• Use fresh cleaning or disinfectant solution each time you clean and store your lenses;
• Never use saline solution or wetting drops to disinfect lenses. Neither solution is an effective or approved disinfectant;
• Be sure to clean, wipe and rinse your lenses every time you remove them. Wiping and rinsing your contact lenses will help remove harmful germs;
• store reusable lenses in a special case;
• Storage containers should be wiped down and rinsed with sterile contact lens solution (never use tap water), emptied and left open to dry after each use;
• Replace storage cases at least once every three months.

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