Can One Contract Brain-eating Amoeba After Swimming In A Lake Of 79-82 Degrees?

Posted on Sat, 23 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 23 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I jumped off a boat in lake gaston va and water went up my nose,This lake is running water and is still cool. Do I need to be alarmed over the amoeba that can kill you.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No risk of amoeba

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You are concerned about contracting the brain eating amoeba or Naegleria fowleri. This amoeba lives only in waters that are warm If the water you swam in is at all cool or cold then the amoeba can not survive. The water must be warm above 80-90 degrees. The most common locations are in XXXXXXX ans Florida. Therefore the water in XXXXXXX is too cold to allow growth of the amoeba.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (15 hours later)

the lake water is 79-82 is your answer the same. It is running water fed from another lake

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Temperature too low

Detailed Answer:
The temperature is still too low and it is too early in the season. It takes time for the amoeba to multiply enough to have enough to allow for infection. I still think your chance of infection with such a low exposure and still low temperatures that you are not at risk for infection

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar