Fall has just begun, but water temperatures are still incredibly warm here in Texas. Unfortunately, this gives pathogenic organisms more time to potentially infect swimmers. Earlier this month, 10-year-old Lily Avant tragically passed away after contracting a brain-eating amoeba in a river near her home. Here’s everything you need to know:

“Naegleria fowleri,” more commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” typically resides in freshwater areas with warm temperatures. This is where 10-year-old Lily Avant contracted it.

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Lily was swimming in a river near her home when she contracted the organism. Due to the gradual progression of symptoms, it took several doctor visits before a diagnosis could be reached.

Flickr/davehensley

She initially went to the doctor on September 8 complaining of a headache and fever. A common viral infection was suspected, for which ibuprofen and hydration were prescribed.

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Lily’s condition only continued to worsen, so she visited the emergency room and was treated for bacterial and viral meningitis. She was then transferred to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, where a spinal tap revealed the amoeba.

Google/Cook Children’s Medical Center

Naegleria fowleri enters the body via the nostrils and begins its journey to the brain. Upon arrival, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (or PAM) can ensue.

Pixabay/holdentrils

Symptoms of brain infection typically begin about five days after exposure. They include stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. Death usually occurs 1-12 days after initial symptom presentation.

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Unfortunately, Naegleria fowleri is almost always fatal - only four people out of 145 known infected individuals in the U.S. have survived. Lily Avant was the first confirmed death so far in 2019.

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Did you know how deadly naegleria fowleri can be? Let us know your thoughts on this unspeakable tragedy.

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Flickr/davehensley

Flickr/jeepersmedia

Google/Cook Children’s Medical Center

Pixabay/holdentrils

Flickr/madaise

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