Neti Pot Deaths Linked to Brain-Eating Amoeba in Tap Water

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In summary, Louisiana health regulators warned residents Tuesday about the dangers of using neti pots improperly. A neti pot, which looks like a genie's lamp, is commonly used to irrigate sinuses. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued its warning following a second death this year caused by Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba. According to the health officials, the death is the result of the individual using tap water to irrigate their sinuses. However, the health officials advise residents not to drink the water and not to breathe the air.
  • #1
Evo
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I know lisab uses these.

AAARRRGGHH!

Louisiana health regulators warned residents Tuesday about the dangers of using neti pots improperly. A neti pot, which looks like a genie's lamp, is commonly used to irrigate sinuses. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued its warning following a second death this year caused by Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba.

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/flu/neti-pot-deaths-linked-brain-eating-amoeba-tap-water
 
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  • #2
That might essplane whaaaas hapenig to meeeeeee
 
  • #3
:eek: holy crap!

'scuse me now, I have to go itch my brain...
 
  • #4
This happened to me and I can tell you it's quite a tragedy. Millions of amoeba starved to death.
 
  • #5
I think the problem is with the water used not the process.
 
  • #6
edward said:
I think the problem is with the water used not the process.
Yes, it's the water, as mentioned in the title. :smile: But don't people bathe with that tap water? I think if there were "Brain-Eating Amoeba in my Tap Water", I'd be a bit upset.

I have a co-worker that lost an eye to parasites that got into his eyes from taking a shower. It laid eggs under his contact lens and when they hatched, they ate their way into his eyes. He woke up blind and that started the worse two years of his life trying to save one eye. He completely lost the other.

No way, no how, do I let tap water splash on my face. I buy those disposable sterilized facial cleanser cloths. With my luck, having a friend go blind from washing his face, ain't no way I'm tempting fate.
 
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  • #7
edward said:
I think the problem is with the water used not the process.
MMM, mago tyree pton't fengo top prgmore anyway.
 
  • #8
Chi Meson said:
MMM, mago tyree pton't fengo top prgmore anyway.
:rofl:
 
  • #9
If you visit american city,
You will find it very pretty.
Just two things of which you must beware:
Don’t drink the water and don’t breathe the air.

Pollution, pollution,
They got smog and sewage and mud.
Turn on your tap and get hot and cold running crud.

See the halibuts and the sturgeons
Being wiped out by detergents.
Fish got to swim and birds got to fly,
But they don’t last long if they try.

Pollution, pollution,
You can use the latest toothpaste,
And then rinse your mouth with industrial waste.

Tom Lehrer
 
  • #10
You can get them from swimming in fresh water lakes if you disturb the bottom - especially in semi tropical or tropical areas. The problem is when they get in your eyes or up your nose.

If you have city water you're likely fine but I use a 3 stage filter anyway for drinking. I bet if you nuke the water first or as they suggest, boil it, it would be safe. My dad used to spray his with salt water solution but don't know what concentration would be needed to kill them moebas.

A lot of people get in trouble leaving contacts in at night. Supposedly you can safely do that but my friend got hay under her lens and the ophthalmologist had to use this hook to get it out and it ulcerated her cornea. she's had PTS ever since then. We've been told it's a lot safer to take them out at night and clean your eyes and the lenses.

When a family member took parasitology we all had fun with the horror stories and video of things like fish that will swim up a urine stream in the air if you pee in their habitat and continue on into the urethra and they have razor sharp fins, so once in there, it's really hard to get them out. YOWWWW Biologists can really creep you out.
 
  • #11
Just goes to show that WC Fields was right about water!

We're on a well. A lot of people play games with purification, but you can't beat chlorine for reliability and effectiveness. So I use chlorine followed by a reaction chamber, a clarifier, a carbon filter, and then a softner. Now when we travel and have to drink city water... YUCK!
 
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  • #12
The day the amoeba evolves into areoba I'll start to breath through a neti pot.
 
  • #13
saw this story earlier and was somewhat concerned since i use a neti pot sometimes. but looking closer, it seems that these guys really like warm or hot water sources. our city water comes from the ground, is chlorinated, flouridated, and who knows what else. so, lower temps and water treatment leave me less worried.
 
  • #14
...If you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, for example, by using a neti pot, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution," said Louisiana State Epidemiologist, Dr. Raoult Ratard. "Tap water is safe for drinking, but not for irrigating your nose." It's also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry...
http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2332
 
  • #15
I wonder, what about for ears? I've always used warm tap water to irrigate my ears..
 
  • #16
Be careful about spraying water in your ears. It can make you vomit or lose your equilibrium or both if I'm remembering correctly. I think cold is worse than warm. No amoeba can't get through your eardrum unless you blow it out with too much pressure. I remember as a child, my mom put warm oil in my ears when I had an earache. It worked great.
 
  • #17
What it is with with people that feel the need to pump things into all of the holes in their body?
 
  • #18
Regarding the sinuses, specialists says that spraying your sinuses should become a habit like brushing your teeth since all day long they are bombarded with all sorts of nasty things from our dirty air. Ears, on the other hand, being a lot more delicate, don't require irrigation as you can even get swimmers ear from doing it too often but again according to my specialists you can use the over the counter drops every month or so to prevent your ear from getting clogged from wax buildup. (Which I might add is exacerbated by people who use cotton swabs in them) No it doesn't cause problems to wash behind your ears.
 

1. What is a neti pot?

A neti pot is a small, teapot-like device used to flush out the sinuses with a saline solution. It is commonly used as a home remedy for sinus congestion and allergies.

2. What is the brain-eating amoeba linked to neti pot deaths?

The brain-eating amoeba, scientifically known as Naegleria fowleri, is a single-celled organism that is commonly found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can enter the body through the nose and cause a rare but serious brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

3. How does the brain-eating amoeba get into tap water?

The brain-eating amoeba can enter tap water through various sources, such as untreated or poorly treated water systems, stagnant or warm water, and lack of proper disinfection. It can also enter through improper use or cleaning of neti pots, which can introduce tap water directly into the sinuses.

4. Can the brain-eating amoeba be killed by boiling water?

No, boiling water does not guarantee the elimination of the brain-eating amoeba. It can survive in water temperatures up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). The best way to prevent infection is to use distilled or sterile water when using a neti pot.

5. How can I protect myself from the brain-eating amoeba when using a neti pot?

To protect yourself from the brain-eating amoeba, always use distilled or sterile water when using a neti pot. Avoid using tap water, especially if you live in an area with known cases of the amoeba. It is also important to properly clean and dry your neti pot after each use to prevent the growth of bacteria or other harmful organisms.

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