Naegleria fowleri: What You Need to Know

Naegleria is a microscopic ameba (single-celled living organism) that can cause a very rare, but severe, infection of the brain. The ameba is commonly found in warm freshwater (for example, lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and soil. Only one species of Naegleria infects people: Naegleria fowleri. Naegleria fowleri infects people by entering the body through the nose. This typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. In very rare instances, Nae