I felt it would be only right to share this information with fellow ThriftyFun members because many of us here do use Neti pots to irrigate our sinuses. I try not to be an alarmist, but this particular report has shaken me awake because I am definitely guilty of using non-sterile tap water in my Neti pot :-o
Neti pots have been linked with a brain eating amoeba that, although rare, can be and has been fatal. The infection is caused from not using distilled water or by not having previously sterilized tap water by boiling it and also because of improper cleansing of the Neti pot itself. This brain eating amoeba, from using Neti pots incorrectly, is the same that can be caused from swimming in warm contaminated rivers and lakes or swimming pools where cleansing chemicals are not used properly.
The amoeba enters through the nose when submerging in water and then moves towards the brain causing amebic meningoencephalitis which inflames the brain tissues, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and invades the central nervous system. The early stage symptoms may be headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiffness of the neck. As it progresses the symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. This disease progresses really quickly and can cause death in as little as one day.
It's better to be safe than sorry so please use distilled water or water that has previously been boiled and then stored in a sterile container. Also, rinse your Neti pot well with hot water, turn upside down on a clean towel to drain and allow to completely dry before replacing the lid and putting the pot away.
By Deeli from Richland, WA
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So we are never to swim in lakes or rivers again... ever? Hmm. I think the figures show you have more chance of winning the lottery.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I disagree with being as safe as possible. However, at 3 am when I can't breathe, I won't be warming cooled water. I'll still be pulling it warm from the tap (that I treat in my own basement with a .5 micron filter and a uv system).
I will also continue to be swimming in lakes and rivers which is one of my favourite summer pastimes. :)
Everyone makes their own choices to take risks or not, kimsaria, but you might want to at least contact the manufacturer of your water filtering system and ask if they absolutely guarantee that their filter actually filters out 'Naegleria fowleri' ameba because not all those water cleansing systems do.
Also, sure go for a swim but if it's water that is standing water (like a lake or a swimming pool that might not have the correct sanitizing chemicals) or a river or lake where any type of sewage has been poured into (yes, there are rivers and lakes worldwide including the US that still allows human sewage to be drained into them) at least wear a tight fitting nose plug.
And anyone who has a compromised immune system whether temporary from even a minor illness/having just gotten over a mild illness or who has a compromising disease should be extra cautious. Personally speaking, "Why take the risk?"
This sounds too important to play around with. Once our lakes and streams were clean, now they're not. And I've heard that tap water, in some areas, is not the safest. Why take the chance. Thanks, Deeli.
Well now I know what's been eating my brain all these years.
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