Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)

People can get PAM when water with the brain-eating ameba goes up the nose and into the brain.

• The brain-eating ameba can be found in warm freshwater, such as lakes and rivers.
  • PAM is usually seen in young, healthy people who have been swimming or diving in warm freshwater.
• The brain-eating ameba can also be found in tap water or swimming pool water, though this is rare.
  • It is possible to get PAM by using tap water with Naegleria fowleri in it to rinse the sinuses.
  • People can get PAM by swimming in pools that have not been properly cleaned with the appropriate amount of chlorine.

You cannot get PAM by drinking water with the ameba in it.

Symptoms usually appear one to nine days after water with the brain-eating ameba gets into the nose.

Symptoms of PAM can be mild at first, but they quickly get worse. Symptoms usually start about five days after the ameba gets into the nose. The ameba kills brain tissue and causes brain swelling and death. This usually happens within five days after symptoms start.

PAM is a life-threatening emergency. Go to the emergency department as soon as possible if you think you may have PAM. Starting treatment right away may increase the chances that you will live.

While swimming:

The only sure way to prevent PAM is to not swim in warm freshwater. However, there are a few steps you can take to lower your risk of the ameba going up your nose while swimming:

• Hold your nose shut with your hands or nose clips.
• Keep your head above water.
• Do not spend time in warm freshwater when the water temperature is high and water levels are low.
• Do not dig in or stir up the dirt while swimming in shallow, warm freshwater areas.
• Keep swimming pools clean using chlorine.

While using tap water:

PAM is rarely caused by using tap water. However, cases can occur when people rinse their sinuses through the nose or cleanse their noses during religious practices. There are steps you can take to make sure your water is safe. Take at least one of these actions to lower your risk of getting PAM:

• Boil tap water for 1 minute and let it cool.
• Buy distilled or sterile water.
• Use a filter designed to remove small germs.

• Naegleria fowleri Fact Sheet, P-01085 (PDF): Educational fact sheet for the general public on Naegleria fowleri and PAM, including symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention measures.
• Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: CDC webpage that includes signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention information.
• Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): CDC webpage for FAQ on PAM.
• Sinus Rinsing for Health or Religious Practice: CDC webpage that includes best practices for safely rinsing sinuses.

This is a Wisconsin disease surveillance category I disease:

• Health care providers should report IMMEDIATELY by TELEPHONE to the patient's local public health department upon identification of a confirmed or suspected case.
• Report to the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F-44151 (Word) or by other means within 24 hours upon recognition of a case.
• Information on communicable disease reporting

• PAM Information for Public Health and Medical Professionals: CDC webpage covering information on clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.
• DPDx Laboratory Identification of Parasites of Public Health Concern: CDC Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria webpage to assist laboratorians and pathologists in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.
• PAM Diagnostic Tests: CDC webpage with information on different diagnostic tests for PAM.