Woman Dies After Rinsing Sinuses with Tap Water

A tragic case in Texas has reignited warnings about a rare but deadly organism known as Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba.” 

A 71-year-old woman died after using tap water in a nasal rinse – an event now classified as a brain-eating amoeba death by the CDC. 

While this type of infection is extremely rare, it’s nearly always fatal, and the CDC is urging the public to take extra precautions, especially when using devices like neti pots. Let’s take a look at what happened, what the risks are, and how you can protect yourself.

Woman Dies After Contracting Brain-Eating Amoeba from Tap Water, CDC Warns

According to a recent CDC investigation, the woman had been using a sinus rinse device – likely a neti pot or similar tool – filled with tap water to clear out her nasal passages. 

Within a few days, she developed a fever, headache, and became confused, a sign of altered mental status. 

Despite receiving treatment for what doctors suspected was a rare brain infection, her condition worsened. She experienced seizures and, sadly, passed away just eight days after symptoms began.

Testing later confirmed that the cause was Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba that had entered her body through the nasal cavity.

What Is Naegleria fowleri?

This single-celled organism thrives in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It doesn’t cause harm if swallowed but, if contaminated water enters the nose, the amoeba can travel to the brain and destroy tissue. 

This leads to a condition known as Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is nearly always fatal. The CDC notes that the U.S. sees fewer than 10 cases of PAM each year, but the Naegleria fowleri infection is fast-moving and difficult to treat once symptoms appear.

The Tap Water Sinus Rinse Danger

If you're someone who regularly uses a neti pot or nasal rinse bottle, this story is understandably unsettling. The main issue here is using tap water, which, while safe for drinking, can still harbor microbes that are dangerous when introduced into the sinuses.

Tap water can contain low levels of bacteria or amoebas that are killed off by stomach acid when swallowed, but your nasal passages don’t have that same defense. The tap water sinus rinse danger becomes serious if even a small amount of Naegleria fowleri makes its way up the nose.

CDC’s Amoeba Sinus Rinse Warning

In response to this case, the CDC’s brain-eating amoeba alert is reminding the public of certain safety measures when using nasal irrigation devices. Their amoeba sinus rinse warning includes the following precautions:

• Never use tap water directly for sinus rinsing unless it has been boiled for at least one minute and then cooled.

• You can also use distilled or sterile water, which is available in most pharmacies.

• Clean and dry your nasal rinse device after every use.

• Do not rinse your sinuses with water that has been stored in open containers for long periods.

These simple steps can dramatically lower your risk while still letting you benefit from sinus rinses safely.

Neti Pot Tap Water Risk: How to Do It Right

Many people swear by their neti pots to relieve sinus congestion, especially during allergy season or colds. But this neti pot tap water risk is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The device itself isn’t the issue – it’s the water you use in it.

So what’s safe?

• Boiled and cooled tap water

• Distilled or sterile bottled water

• Water passed through a filter designed to remove microorganisms (look for labels that mention “NSF 53” or “absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller”)

Avoid using regular tap water straight from the faucet, even if it’s something you’ve done before without a problem.

Life-Saving Differences

This brain-eating amoeba death is a heartbreaking reminder that even routine activities like a sinus rinse come with certain risks when proper care isn’t taken. Though Naegleria fowleri infections are rare, the consequences are severe, and prevention is key.

If you use a neti pot or similar device, follow the CDC’s guidelines and never use untreated tap water. It’s a small change that could make a life-saving difference.