Swimming in AR Rivers/Lakes (posting for Maurine Moen)

[Renee H]

Case Presentation[1].doc Dr. Snow 8-12-10.doc

(79 KiB) Downloaded 198 times

[Cowper]

My god women, did either of you think a kayaker could actually read that? Well maybe KayakDoc or Cadron Boy, where ever he is, and probably DavidBob, but the rest of us?

With great effort, I have attempted to piece to together a kayakers version of what this health department letter tells us:

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but nearly always fatal disease caused by infection with Naegleria fowleri, a thermophilic, free-living amoeba found in freshwater environments.

TRANSLATION: If you get this, You’re Gonna Die! (and you won't even be able to shout out the name of the thing that is killing you!)

Infection results from water containing N. fowleri entering the nose, followed by migration of the amoebae through the cribriform plate to the brain via the olfactory nerve.

TRANSLATION: It drills into your brain!


Increased numbers of infections in young males might also be associated with differences in water-related activities. Young males might more frequently dive or jump into the water, submerge their heads under water, or engage in water sports where they increase the risk of water moving forcefully up the nose.

TRANSLATION: This bug hates kayakers!


As a result, routine water testing, including in areas used by recent patients, is likely to have limited value in preventing future infections.

TRANSLATION: There’s nothing the government can do to save you!

I can tell you that TX (30) and FL (29) have the most cases. Arkansas has only had 4 cases since 1962, with the last reported case in 1990 (until now). There have been a total of 111 cases reported in the U.S. since 1962

TRANSLATION: Never mind, don’t worry about it.

CONCLUSION: Wear your nose clips, and worry even less.

[Owl]

Thanks for the information.

[FarPastGone]

I think in the late 90s or early 2000s there were a couple of deaths attributed to "PAM" in the Red River, but for the most part streams should be okay. Just avoid warm stagnant bodies of water.

Between primary amoebic meningoencephalitis and vibrio vulnificus you aren't safe in any body of water.

- Matt

[DMG]

[deleted]
~Dave

[GN YAKN]

Once put into perspective it isn't as scary, but, still good to know. Thanks Maurine

[jvickery]

test your tooth brush in a lab and then be worried for real!

[Adam Willard]

A friend lost his 14 year old son to this and was laied to rest today. He took a bad spill on a wakeboard which injected the water up his nose at a very high speed.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=12978555" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jvickery]

Very sad Adam, very sad. I read the article and hate to hear about such a tragedy. Just a damn shame to see a young person full of life like this be taken so early from us all. My prayers are with his family and I will ask my Church to have them in thier prayers as well.

Take Care, John

[Renee H]

Sorry to hear that Adam. What body of water was he on? Cypress, Cross or Red River? I am asking because my nephews and niece were over there swimming a lot when they were down visiting from OH. My sister said Cypress was like a bath tub.

[Cowper]

A friend lost his 14 year old son to this and was laied to rest today. He took a bad spill on a wakeboard which injected the water up his nose at a very high speed.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=12978555" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Truly sorry to hear that. They say loss of a child is one of the worst things; we don't like it, but we all "know" we're going to lose our parents some day; we know that in any couple one is going to lose the other some day. But parents dealing with the loss of their child - well, there's just no way to make that "expected" or in any way acceptable.

Getting down to specifics, your friend actually had a different bug, if I understand what I'm reading. 14 year old "Will" had viral meningoencephalitis (very tiny bug) that infects hundreds in LA each year, but apparently most live. The 7 year old in AR had Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (very big bug), that is much more rare, but with a very low survival rate. Since both get into your brain the same way, via injection of water up your nose, maybe the bigger point really is that yakers really, really should wear nose clips. When I started yaking, nose clips were for goobers and "real men" didn't wear them. I'm glad those days are gone.

My original post now seems somewhat insensitive in the light of this new information; I think I'll leave it alone since people are learning from the thread, but if you have any suggestions on how to edit it send me a PM and I'll make it happen.