# Brain Eating Amoebia, im freaking out? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 7, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634 "2013-08-07T20:51:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@thanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanatic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/1 "2013-08-07T20:51:18Z")
ok so yesterday afternoon, i went boating with my family at tablerock lake in missouri, it was a warm day… the water was warm… and i only jumped in 1 time, in open water about 40 ft deep… for like 5 seconds then got back on but now im constantly worried about getting this brain eating amoebia… its constantly on my mind no symptoms… but just the thought of it ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/2 "2013-08-07T20:55:19Z")
I don’t blame you, dude. Fresh (and by that I mean stagnant) water that’s just been sitting there warmed by the sun? At a resort lake that likely has human waste from leaky septic systems leaking in to it? Yeah, I’d be freaking out too. Watch out for a headache that’s just behind one eye and not the other. That’s the first sign. ---
**Author:** ![thanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@thanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanatic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/3 "2013-08-07T20:59:46Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > I don’t blame you, dude. Fresh (and by that I mean stagnant) water that’s just been sitting there warmed by the sun? At a resort lake that likely has human waste from leaky septic systems leaking in to it? > > Yeah, I’d be freaking out too. > > Watch out for a headache that’s just behind one eye and not the other. That’s the first sign. oh god… im scared now ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/4 "2013-08-07T21:01:40Z")
Is this a pun thread? Anyway, there’s not much to worry about. The amoeba only infects 83% of people in those lakes, so you have at least a 1 in 6 shot of being totally fine. Even if you did get it, we have good enough drugs that you might only be out of commission for a month or two…it’s like mono but with mild spells of unconsciousness. But you’ll recover. ---
**Author:** ![thanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@thanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanatic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/5 "2013-08-07T21:22:25Z")
actually, the brain eating amoebia has like a 99 percent fatality rate… their has only been like 2 surivors of the 130+ cases the cdc has recorded does anyone know if this amoeba is located in shallow or open water ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/6 "2013-08-07T21:24:18Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Is this a pun thread? > > Even if you did get it, we have good enough drugs that you might only be out of commission for a month or two…it’s like mono but with mild spells of unconsciousness. But you’ll recover. I’m not certain we’re talking about the same [thing](http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/illness.html) > [@](#): > > The disease is generally fatal; among well-documented cases, there are only two known survivors in North America, with one from California and the other from Mexico Although, we can tentatively bump that up to three, now. The little girl in AR was taken off the vent, yesterday! **Thanatic** , did you snort a bunch of water up your nose? That’s it’s entry point, I’m given to understand. ---
**Author:** ![thanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@thanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanatic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/7 "2013-08-07T21:26:00Z")
> [@FaerieBeth](#): > > I’m not certain we’re talking about the same [thing](http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/illness.html) > > Although, we can tentatively bump that up to three, now. The little girl in AR was taken off the vent, yesterday! where does it reside in shallow or open water ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/8 "2013-08-07T21:27:38Z")
There are about two cases of this a year in the entire USA. I think you’re safe. Of course, Bullwinkle is safe also… ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/9 "2013-08-07T21:33:39Z")
From the CDC website I linked above- > [@](#): > > Where is Naegleria fowleri found? > > Naegleria fowleri is found around the world. In the United States, the majority of infections have been caused by Naegleria fowleri from freshwater located in southern-tier states. The ameba can be found in: > •Bodies of warm freshwater, such as lakes and rivers > •Geothermal (naturally hot) water, such as hot springs > •Warm water discharge from industrial plants > •Geothermal (naturally hot) drinking water sources > •Swimming pools that are poorly maintained, minimally-chlorinated, and/or un-chlorinated > •Water heaters. Naegleria fowleri grows best at higher temperatures up to 115°F (46°C) and can survive for short periods at higher temperatures. > •Soil They make no mention of depth of water. As **DrDeth** said, infection is rare. I understand being freaked out, though. Some people are afraid of spiders or dogs or heights. Brain-eating Amoeba is why I only swim in the ocean or well maintained pools. I have an irrational fear of it. I know it’s irrational, but…eh. I enjoy pools and the ocean! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/10 "2013-08-07T21:34:42Z")
Warm water. But it’s rare, so I wouldn’t check into the hospital right away. Was it reported for the particular lake you swam in? I windsurf in lakes in NC, have taken a few snoutfuls, and am still alive. YMMV. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/11 "2013-08-07T21:37:05Z")
> [@thanatic](#): > > but now im constantly worried about getting this brain eating amoebia… its constantly on my mind Look at it this way: if you get the brain eating amoebia, you won’t be thinking about it for long. ---
**Author:** ![thanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@thanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanatic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/12 "2013-08-07T21:40:36Z")
the lake was Tablerock Lake in Missouri ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/13 "2013-08-07T21:44:39Z")
I remember when I was a kid, I had read about this creature, probably a Rockfish or something, that had a venom so strong it could kill you in minutes. I was in Half Moon bay walking around tidepools barefoot, and stepped on something spongy, then had an absolute panic attack because I was convinced I was going to die in 3 minutes. My dad (probably bullshitting just to get me to calm down) convinced me that Rockfish don’t live at our latitudes, and I probably just stepped on a scrunched-up Sea Aneneome. 5 minutes later, when he asked “Are you dead?” I said cautiously, “Not yet…” which helped convince me I wasn’t going to die. The Moral of the story is: The ocean is an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![cougar58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@cougar58](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cougar58)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/14 "2013-08-07T21:49:47Z")
Don’t forget about the college girl, zip lining, fell into a pond. Whatever was in that pond, slowly ate her arms and legs. Brain was fine. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/15 "2013-08-07T21:52:08Z")
And just because it seems topical: [Willow Springs Water Park closed after second child contracts rare brain-eating amoeba](http://www.ibtimes.com/willow-springs-water-park-little-rock-closed-after-second-child-contracts-rare-brain-eating-amoeba) ---
**Author:** ![thanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@thanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanatic)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/16 "2013-08-07T22:23:05Z")
interesting ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/17 "2013-08-07T22:37:10Z")
> [@FaerieBeth](#): > > Brain-eating Amoeba is why I only swim in the ocean or well maintained pools. Just go ahead and think you’re safe then one day… WHAMM! Brain-eating-Amoebanado out of the blue. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/18 "2013-08-07T22:52:55Z")
2 cases in three years at Willow Springs. They probably had maybe 300 to 400 visitors a day during the summer. Just imagine the tens of thousands of visitors since it opened in 1928. We live with the chance of getting hit by lightning, or getting hit crossing the street every day or our lives. But 2 cases of an amoeba brain killer and a 80 year old water park has to close. Heck the odds of some random stranger knifing me in the back while I buy milk at Kroger are probably greater than me dying by swimming in that water park. > [@FaerieBeth](#): > > And just because it seems topical: > [Willow Springs Water Park closed after second child contracts rare brain-eating amoeba](http://www.ibtimes.com/willow-springs-water-park-little-rock-closed-after-second-child-contracts-rare-brain-eating-amoeba) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/19 "2013-08-07T23:00:54Z")
btw, the little Arkansas girl is improving thanks to an experimental drug that killed off all traces of the Amoeba in her spinal fluid and blood. So far her signs of recovery seems very encouraging. She still has a long way to go. > **[Experimental drug helping girl with brain eating parasite](https://katv.com/archive/experimental-drug-helping-girl-with-brain-eating-parasite)** > > Doctors at Arkansas Children's Hospital say no trace of the amoebas in Kali Hardig's spinal fluid, but she's still not in the clear. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2013, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634/20 "2013-08-07T23:05:55Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Is this a pun thread? > > Anyway, there’s not much to worry about. The amoeba only infects 83% of people in those lakes, so you have at least a 1 in 6 shot of being totally fine. Even if you did get it, we have good enough drugs that you might only be out of commission for a month or two…it’s like mono but with mild spells of unconsciousness. But you’ll recover. The best thing to do is pray the sick away. That is probably why the survival rate is 2% instead of a more realistic 1% that you would expect without the power of prayer. Your chances of being hit by lightning is higher than catching the brain eating amoeba. I remember when neti pot users freaked out because 2 people in Louisiana got it. But the odds are millions to one, probably a lot less if you don’t live in areas like Louisiana. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-eating-amoebia-im-freaking-out/665634.md?page=2)