Nearly every body of water east of the Mississippi is warmer than usual. Warmer
water may feel good to the swimmer but it also contains more bacteria than
cooler water. Health Briefs reminds viewers to stay out of hot water this
summer.
There have been several cases of swimmers catching, suffering
from and some dying from freshwater amoeba
Naegleria fowleri. This particular amoeba is a type of virus which attacks the
brain. But it can be prevented which is why we offer some suggestions for
staying healthy in warm water.
Use a nose plug. This amoeba
enters the body through the nose causing a severe frontal headache, fever,
nausea and vomiting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control warns that if not
treated, the amoeba can cause seizures,
confusion and hallucinations as it works its way from the nasal cavity to the
brain.
Health Briefs learns that
most of the cases have been in the southern states and mainly in Texas and Florida
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