Is brain-eating amoeba contagious?

Naegleria fowleri, often called the brain-eating amoeba, is a single-celled organism found in warm freshwater environments like lakes and hot springs. It causes a rare but severe brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Fortunately, this amoeba is not contagious.

How Infection Occurs:

• The amoeba enters the body through the nose, typically when people swim or dive in warm freshwater.
• Once inside the nose, it travels to the brain, where it can cause serious illness.

Key Points:

• Not Spread by Contact: You cannot get infected by drinking water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri, and it doesn’t spread through person-to-person contact.
• Prevention: Avoid swimming in warm freshwater during high temperatures, or use nose clips to prevent water from entering your nose.

Understanding these facts helps in taking precautions to avoid infection while enjoying water activities.