Tragic Case of Brain Infection Linked to Tap Water Use

A 71-year-old woman is said to have developed a brain infection after using tap water, and sadly, she did not survive.

Experts highlight that no matter how safe tap water seems in your area, it’s wise to avoid letting it enter your sinuses. Doing so could expose you to a dangerous brain condition, similar to what happened in this case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that if water contains amoebas—tiny single-celled organisms—and enters a person’s nose, it may reach the brain and lead to a life-threatening infection. This rare but deadly infection, often referred to as a “brain-eating amoeba,” is technically known as Naegleria fowleri. This is likely what occurred with the woman.

While the Texas Department of State Health Services asserts that the tap water in the area is safe to drink, they speculate that the woman might have rinsed her sinuses using water from an RV at a campground, which could have contained Naegleria fowleri, as detailed by a source.

This type of infection is usually found in warm lakes and rivers. Although uncommon, it’s perilous—almost 97% of individuals affected by it end up dying.

From 1962 to 2022, the CDC documented 157 confirmed cases of this infection in the U.S., indicating that Texas has one of the highest numbers of amoeba cases.

Along with Texas, Florida has also seen cases of this frightening infection. In fact, a Florida woman experienced the same kind of infection earlier this year as the Texas woman and also tragically passed away.

“The adult patient had reportedly been using unboiled tap water for nasal rinsing daily, which the CDC believes may have been the source of the infection,” according to a statement.

Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri typically appear about 15 days post-exposure. They range from mild symptoms like fever and headache to more severe issues, including confusion, stiff neck, and seizures. Unfortunately, even with medical treatment, most people with severe infections do not survive.

To reduce the risk of exposure, regardless of the quality of your local tap water, experts recommend boiling water prior to using it for sinus rinses or using distilled water instead. It’s also advisable to supervise children when they’re playing with sprinklers and to allow water to run for several minutes in sinks or showers after not being home for a while, to clear out any stagnant water.