Question 1

i left my sealed distilled water by my toilet overnight then used it in my neti pot. should i be concerned of brain eating bacteria or anything else?

Accepted Answer

Infection risk: If the bottle was sealed, I'd say there is minimal risk.

Question 2

can you get brain eating bacteria from rain water? i got caught in a downpour and some of the water went up my nose. now i'm anxious about it?

Accepted Answer

: No, do not worry about that nonsense. Take care.

Question 3

can you get brain eating bacteria from water youd drank that came up through your nose?

Accepted Answer

No: Not completely impossible but very very unlikely. If you had a brain eating organism you would now be unconscious, in the ICU of a hospital and not on a chat line

Question 4

can brain eating bacteria enter through the eye?

Accepted Answer

Via nose: Naegleria fowleri infects people when water with the amoeba enters the body via the nose. This generally occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places such as lakes and rivers. The amoeba travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys the brain tissue.  The amoeba may also come from other sources such as an inadequately chlorinated swimming pool or contaminated tap water.

Question 5

my toddler stuck his entire head in rain water that was collected three days ago in an upside down plastic pool. it had soil/dirt in it along with leaves and like i said rain water. i am afraid he will contract brain eating bacteria. please help?

Accepted Answer

: Very unlikely.  You are referring to brain infection by Naegleria Fowler, an amebic infection following swimming in warm fresh water, such as ponds, lakes , and hot springs.

Question 6

i was cleaning chicken and i smelled my hand. is it possible i can get brain eating bacteria from doing that? i know it can live in tap water. i only smelled my wet hand no water went up my nose.

Accepted Answer

Soap and water: The kind of infections from raw chicken tend to cause bloody diarrhea and enter through the mouth.  Wash hands, cutting boards and cutlery thoroughly with hot soapy water as a matter of good hygiene.

Question 7

what can treat a severe infection that has spread to the brain, flesh eating bacteria, please help. she is still breathing on her own.?

Accepted Answer

More information : Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating disease) can be caused by a variety of bacteria, alone or sometimes in combination).  I have not seen a case where infection has spread to the brain as meningitis or, more likely, an abscess, but it could occur.  With aggressive therapy, she has a reasonable chance for recovery.  I hope things turn out ok.

Question 8

i accidentally got tap water up my nose and it dripped down the back of my throat while taking a shower. it's enough to irritate my nostril and throat. how likely is it i will get a bacterial infection or a brain eating amoeba? i live in the us?

Accepted Answer

: Almost zero chance. This sort of thing happens millions of times every day and almost nobody develops a health problem as a result.

Question 9

can intestinal bacteria influence the brain? what are your expert opinions?

Accepted Answer

I'm skeptical: I saw the yogurt / brain scan study too. The area's hard to study but this one just might have something to it. We know that the germs in the large bowel make substances that can act as neurotransmitters. We're going to need to replicate the work currently in the news -- extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and these studies are prone to all kinds of artifacts.

Question 10

can bacteria spread to your brain from an incomplete root canal procedure?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes: Although extremely rare, most any infection can spread to other organs via your bloodstream. If you have unfinished dental treatment, then finish it. Chances are you will not have an infection spread to your brain, but that you will loose the tooth if you do not complete your care.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Brain eating bacteria

A member asked:

I left my sealed distilled water by my toilet overnight then used it in my neti pot. should i be concerned of brain eating bacteria or anything else?

A member asked:

Can you get brain eating bacteria from rain water? i got caught in a downpour and some of the water went up my nose. now i'm anxious about it?

A member asked:

Can you get brain eating bacteria from water youd drank that came up through your nose?

A member asked:

Can brain eating bacteria enter through the eye?

A member asked:

My toddler stuck his entire head in rain water that was collected three days ago in an upside down plastic pool. it had soil/dirt in it along with leaves and like i said rain water. i am afraid he will contract brain eating bacteria. please help?

A member asked:

I was cleaning chicken and i smelled my hand. is it possible i can get brain eating bacteria from doing that? i know it can live in tap water. i only smelled my wet hand no water went up my nose.

A member asked:

What can treat a severe infection that has spread to the brain, flesh eating bacteria, please help. she is still breathing on her own.?

A member asked:

I accidentally got tap water up my nose and it dripped down the back of my throat while taking a shower. it's enough to irritate my nostril and throat. how likely is it i will get a bacterial infection or a brain eating amoeba? i live in the us?

A member asked:

Can intestinal bacteria influence the brain? what are your expert opinions?

A member asked:

Can bacteria spread to your brain from an incomplete root canal procedure?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?