Seattle woman who died of brain-eating amoeba used tap water in neti pot

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/doctor-seattle-woman-who-died-of-brain-eating-amoeba-used-tap-water-in-neti-pot/884605557

By: Alison Grande
Updated: Dec 6, 2018 - 6:24 PM

A Seattle woman died after becoming infected with a brain-eating amoeba.

The woman told her doctor she had used tap water in a neti pot, instead of saline or sterile water. Doctors believe an amoeba entered in through her upper nasal cavity got into her blood stream, eventually reaching her brain.

A neurosurgeon from Swedish Medical Center said this is a rare situation but is warning patients to be sure to follow the directions when using a neti pot for nasal congestion. The directions call for saline or sterilized water. They believe the woman used tap water she'd put in a pitcher with a filter in her refrigerator.

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