Texas Woman Dies After Using Tap Water in Sinus Rinse

A tragic incident has occurred in Texas where a 71-year-old woman lost her life after using tap water in a sinus rinse, which led to a severe brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. This rare but deadly organism can thrive in warm freshwater environments and, in some cases, in untreated tap water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the woman used tap water from an RV water system at a Texas campground for her nasal irrigation. Four days following the rinse, she began experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, and confusion. Medical professionals suspected primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease caused by Naegleria fowleri, but despite treatment efforts, her condition deteriorated, leading to seizures and death eight days after initial symptoms appeared.

Health authorities emphasize the importance of using safe water sources for nasal rinses. The CDC recommends using distilled, sterile, or properly boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation to prevent infection. The amoeba typically enters the body through the nose, traveling directly to the brain, especially during activities in warm freshwater sources like lakes, rivers, hot springs, or poorly maintained pools. Precautions advised by the CDC include holding the nose or wearing a nose clip while swimming in natural waters, keeping the head above water in hot springs, and avoiding contaminated pools or splash pads.

This incident underscores the critical need for proper water maintenance and safety practices during nasal rinsing and water-based recreation. Awareness and adherence to recommended guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of infection from Naegleria fowleri and similar waterborne pathogens.