Mechanicsburg, PA
A 31-year-old male asked:
Since naegleria fowleri can be found in tap water. can you get it from showering since water can get into your nose?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. David Ellisanswered
Family Medicine 43 years experience
Naegleria fowleri: This ameba is found in contaminated fresh water sources. The transmission to humans is through inhalation of contaminated water with this particular parasite. Exposure to this parasite would be determined by the cleanliness of the fresh water source. If the parasite is inhaled it causes a severe central nervous system infection that is very serious.
16 viewsAnswered Dec 25, 2020
Similar questions
PA
A 33-year-old male asked:
Shower water often goes into my nose. Can you get Naegleria Fowleri from showering?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 53 years experience
Theoretically if infective agent was in the water, you would be at risk. Is your shower water sterile and properly treated, or is it pumped from a well or lake? Have others become infected in your community? Has the news media reported such infections?
Perhaps you could directly contact your local water company to get information.
Answered Mar 20, 2021
Mechanicsburg, PA
A 31-year-old male asked:
If chloramine in tap water kills Naegleria Fowleri why is it advised not to get water in your nose when showering?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 47 years experience
Balance: Water by itself is not a balanced solution that would not irritate the inside of the nose. Nasal wash/netty pot solutions have minerals added to balance them so they do not irritate. Solutions that have too many or too few minerals upset the balance of this fragile tissue. The same would go to avoiding chlorinated pool water while swimming.
15 viewsReviewed Dec 30, 2020
Last updated Dec 25, 2020
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