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A recent study cautioned that using tap water for nasal rinses in order to alleviate sinus congestion can lead to fatal brain infections caused by amoeba.
In the past ten years, a group of researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disclosed 10 cases of individuals who became infected with the amoeba Acanthamoeba from nasal rinsing, and three of them ultimately passed away.
The study, published in the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal on Wednesday, reported that 10 people had weakened immune systems and 7 of them experienced ongoing sinus infections. Additionally, numerous individuals used tap water to rinse out their nasal passages.
Amoebas are tiny, single-celled creatures that can cause parasitic infections in humans, leading to skin and eye disorders as well as fatal brain infections.
Acanthamoeba can be found all over the world, living in soil and various bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and tap water.
The amoeba is considered to be a type of pathogen that takes advantage of individuals who have weakened or compromised immune systems, such as those with diabetes, cancer, HIV, or a past organ transplant.
According to researchers, individuals with low immune systems may experience positive effects from nasal rinsing, such as alleviating sinus issues and preventing infections. However, if unsterile water is used, harmful pathogens can also be introduced during the process.
Researchers are concerned that the disease known as ‘zombie deer disease’ which has a 100% fatality rate, may be developing the ability to spread to humans.
In a separate research, published on Wednesday in the identical publication, medical professionals from Karachi highlight the situation of a 22-year-old man from Pakistan who contracted the amoeba Naegleria fowleri after using tap water for nasal rinsing as part of a religious practice.
Researchers state that infections in the brain caused by amoeba can have deadly consequences and there are very few individuals who have survived this type of infection worldwide. Additionally, the disease does not have a particular treatment.
Due to prompt and assertive medical treatment, the individual was able to survive.
Experts warn that using tap water for nasal irrigation could potentially result in infection from amoebas, such as Acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleri.
Medical professionals recommend boiling tap water for at least one minute, or three minutes if you are above 1,980m in elevation, before using it for rinsing purposes. It is important to allow the water to cool before use.
The authors suggested that all healthcare professionals who treat individuals with weakened immune systems should inform their patients about Acanthamoeba infections, such as how to identify symptoms and safely perform nasal rinsing.
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