Brain-eating Amoeba - I Think I Have This

I just heard about this ‘brain-eating amoeba’ and I think I have it.

It sure would explain a lot.

Moments away, people. Moments away.

We’re all on well water at the place I’ve been RV camping for much of the last month. At first, I drank the water (after filtering it) thinking ‘Ooh, well water! This has to be better the city water I’ve been drinking for the last 20 years – the city water that has chromium six in it.’ (Chromium six is the toxic chemical featured in the Erin Brockovich movie.)

Within two days my cat got sick from the well water, so I immediately switched us to bottled water.

NOW everyone is quick to tell me ‘Don’t drink the water!’

Not sure why they didn’t mention that before I discovered it was toxic on my own.

There’s also a lovely creek here.

Hmm… do you think this is where they might be getting the well water?

Which brings me to the brain-eating amoeba…

Also known as Naegleria fowleri, you get it by swimming in freshwater lakes where the amoeba enters through your nose.

Note to self: No more freshwater swimming.

Then I read the symptoms…

(From Wikipedia)

Onset symptoms of infection start 1 to 14 days after exposure. The initial symptoms include, but are not limited to changes in taste and smell, also headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Secondary symptoms include confusion, hallucinations, lack of attention, ataxia, and seizures. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly 3 to 7 days, with death occurring from 7 to 14 days.

‘Headaches, stiff neck, confusion, hallucinations, lack of attention…’

Oh, great. I think it’s already too late.

I’m being turned into a zombie the sloooow way.

While my brain was being eaten by an amoeba, I got to meet another (my second) fellow blogger! (I don’t think she noticed my zombified and amoeba-riddled brain. Well, I hope she didn’t.)

At Avila Beach, CA with Mrs. Tuna, moments away from becoming a zombie.

Mrs. Tuna from Working Woman’s Guide to Dinner was in Avila Beach, a gorgeous town on the California coast. I invited myself over for dinner, and she graciously let me in. (In her defense, she may have been drunk at the time. That’s probably why she didn’t notice the amoeba.)

We had a terrific time. I think. Hard to say, really, with my confusion and lack of attention.

It was over so fast she may have been a hallucination.

Avila Beach, California. Before the apocalypse.

Comments

Brain-eating Amoeba – I Think I Have This — 23 Comments

Hoody Hoo on August 19, 2011 at 5:15 am said:

I also had to look this shit up the very SECOND I heard about it… now I’m convinced I’m the first case who got it WITHOUT contact with well or lake water. I’m special, ya know!
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:23 am said:
  
  How have we not heard of this before? According to the article it’s been around for almost ten years. WHAT ELSE DON’T WE KNOW ABOUT?!
  
  *sigh* It’s just not safe to go outside anymore.
Paula @ thewilyweez on August 19, 2011 at 6:05 am said:

I read about this Amoeba thing last night and it scared the crap out of me! I am pretty sure the zombie apocalypse is upon us! haha
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:24 am said:
  
  Welcome Paula! Yeah, this amoeba thing has to be the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. But really? I thought it would go a little faster. I’m not good with delayed gratification when it comes to chocolate or zombies.
bluzdude on August 19, 2011 at 3:35 pm said:

Chalk up one more method of exercise to avoid. This just adds to my list of reasons for staying on the couch and watching ESPN.
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:25 am said:
  
  Exercise? There was no exercise involved. Perhaps I should have said “splashing” instead of swimming.
  
  The Blond Lemming does not swim. That’s just an accident waiting to happen.
secret agent woman on August 19, 2011 at 5:05 pm said:

You should never read symptoms – they always fit how you feel.
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:27 am said:
  
  That is so true. Or maaaybeee it’s that ALL symptoms are the same. It seems every possible illness starts with “Flu-like symptoms”. And the ‘headache, confusion, and hallucinations’ thing? Hah, that’s just my daily life.
  - Rangle on September 22, 2011 at 3:51 am said:
    
    If not for your writing this topic could be very convoluted and oblique.
Momma Fargo on August 23, 2011 at 6:14 am said:

Oh, man. Keep the bottled water on hand. Anything that has “six” in it, I run. LOL
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:29 am said:
  
  Have you heard what they’re saying about bottled water now?? I used to drink Crystal Geyser. Guess waht? It got one of the WORST ratings. Best rating? WALMART water. Walmart is so my new favorite store.
Wicked Shawn on August 24, 2011 at 4:48 am said:

I am thinking I built up an immunity to this swimming in freshwater all of my life. I am so ready for the zombie apocalypse. Apparently I have been training for it my entire life. My parents must be like the Sarah Conners of the Zombie Apocalypse. I’m so proud right now.
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:32 am said:
  
  I swam a lot in the ocean as a kid, but apparently that doesn’t count.
  
  I kinda thought the zombie apocalypse would come on a little faster. Is that really too much to ask?
Misty on August 24, 2011 at 8:36 am said:

Well, with the earthquakes and hurricanes and blizzards, I’m sure that brain eating amoeba is next. It really is the Apocalypse!! I need to update my Zombie Apocalist right away!! Thanks for the heads up. Not that you are paying attention right now anyway . . .
- Kernut on August 24, 2011 at 11:35 am said:
  
  The zombie apocalypse is upon us! Albeit rather slowly. We had an earthquake or two here last night. It was around a 3.8 or something. Didn’t even feel it and my usually sensitive cat seemed completely unmoved.
Mrs. Tuna on August 25, 2011 at 8:11 pm said:

Akkkkk, take that picture of me down immediately, I look pregnant. I only stopped by to say I’d given you a shout out on my latest post. Take down that picture, now, now, now or I will say mad and slanderous things about you!
- Kernut on August 26, 2011 at 3:02 pm said:
  
  Darling, you look fabulous! What do you mean ‘pregnant’?? You do not look preggers! (You said it was ok to post it… are you serious about me taking it down? Ok, well you may have been a bit tipsy at the time. If you want I will take it down, or just edit it so you’re not visible or something. Call or email me and let me know, ok? No texts, though! LOL)
  
  You may say mad and slanderous things about me if you must, but just know my blog has probably covered them already. 😉
Luda on August 26, 2011 at 12:38 pm said:

I am going to have nightmares tonight. But I’ll be okay, because from now on I’m sleeping inside a bubble.
- Kernut on August 26, 2011 at 3:04 pm said:
  
  A bubble? I think I need that. Where does one get this bubble? Will it keep zombies out?
  
  Thanks for visiting my little spot on the web!
Lisa on August 26, 2011 at 5:11 pm said:

Water has always been a myth that is meant to be good for you but I have always been suspicious and today you have proven my suspicions to be right. Stupid water, doesn’t hold a candle to vodka or wine. Those definitely can’t kill you.
- Kernut on August 28, 2011 at 10:41 am said:
  
  I’m beginning to suspect we’ve been lied to by the government and the Bottled Water Board (I’m sure there is one) for many years. It’s all been a great ploy to assist the health insurance in getting even more money from us. I’m willing to bet they are, at this very moment, working on a zombie virus.
  
  Not that I’m in to conspiracy theories or anything. Much.
tink on August 30, 2011 at 9:41 am said:

hahah i think i might have one of those too!
- Kernut on August 31, 2011 at 3:23 pm said:
  
  Come to think of it, I feel less alone knowing it’s there. Now if I can just teach it to answer email and take phone messages I’ll be quite happy.