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Question about water entering the nose
pleasehelpme87 posted:
Hi Dr. Moser, I have a question about shower water (or tap water since it is from the same source) entering into the nose. Today, while in the shower, I got shower water into my ear and nose when trying to wash my face under the shower head. When the water entered into my nose it gave a very uncomfortable feeling deep up in my nose like when you get water splashed up into your nose in a pool. This reminded me of story I heard in the news of two women recently dying from using tap water for their neti pot solutions in Louisiana. The tap water was infected with a parasite called Naegleria fowleri (http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html). I live in the Vancouver BC area, and from what I know, Metro Vancouver's water is treated with chlorine. But I am also guessing Louisiana's water supply is treated with chlorine too. I am worried about having gotten water into my nose and the risk of this parasite. I used my nasal saline spray after this happened to 'clean' out my nasal area in desperation. Any thoughts or ideas?
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Question about water entering the noseHi Dr. Moser, I have a question about shower water (or tap water since it is from the same source) entering into the nose. Today, while in the shower, I got shower water into my ear and nose when trying to wash my face under the shower head. When the water entered into my nose it gave a very uncomfortable feeling deep up in my nose like when you get water splashed up into your nose in a pool. This reminded me of story I heard in the news of two women recently dying from using tap water for their neti pot solutions in Louisiana. The tap water was infected with a parasite called Naegleria fowleri (http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html). I live in the Vancouver BC area, and from what I know, Metro Vancouver's water is treated with chlorine. But I am also guessing Louisiana's water supply is treated with chlorine too. I am worried about having gotten water into my nose and the risk of this parasite. I used my nasal saline spray after this happened to 'clean' out my nasal area in desperation. Any thoughts or ideas?
Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
No need to worry. The chance of treated shower water -- the same water that you drink -- causing a parasitic infection would be extremely, extremely rare.
Report This| Share this:Question about water entering the noseNo need to worry. The chance of treated shower water -- the same water that you drink -- causing a parasitic infection would be extremely, extremely rare.
pleasehelpme87 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Hi Dr. Moser, thank you for your message. I know the risk is small and rare for this to happen, but the weird thing is, it does still happen to people (mostly from swimming in freshwater lakes in warmer waters, and the two ladies in 2011 from louisiana tap water in their neti pot solutions). I do tend to worry about things that most people probably would not worry about too.
From what I have read online, symptoms could start from one to fourteen days, mostly in the first one to seven days after. Initial symptoms can be cold or flu like symptoms (sore throats, nasal congestion), headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, confusion. Today, I woke up with a bit of strained feeling on the back of my neck (right side), which raised my worry to new levels needless to say, but it could be caused from sleeping too. I can feel the mild soreness when turning or stretching my neck.
The weird thing is, you can drink water infected with the parasite without anything happening because it can only infect when introduced into the nose (it travels directly to the brain from the nose and causes some kind of meningitis) or thats what it says online.
From what I have read online, symptoms could start from one to fourteen days, mostly in the first one to seven days after. Initial symptoms can be cold or flu like symptoms (sore throats, nasal congestion), headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, confusion. Today, I woke up with a bit of strained feeling on the back of my neck (right side), which raised my worry to new levels needless to say, but it could be caused from sleeping too. I can feel the mild soreness when turning or stretching my neck.
The weird thing is, you can drink water infected with the parasite without anything happening because it can only infect when introduced into the nose (it travels directly to the brain from the nose and causes some kind of meningitis) or thats what it says online.
Report This| Share this:Question about water entering the noseHi Dr. Moser, thank you for your message. I know the risk is small and rare for this to happen, but the weird thing is, it does still happen to people (mostly from swimming in freshwater lakes in warmer waters, and the two ladies in 2011 from louisiana tap water in their neti pot solutions). I do tend to worry about things that most people probably would not worry about too. <br /><br />From what I have read online, symptoms could start from one to fourteen days, mostly in the first one to seven days after. Initial symptoms can be cold or flu like symptoms (sore throats, nasal congestion), headaches, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, confusion. Today, I woke up with a bit of strained feeling on the back of my neck (right side), which raised my worry to new levels needless to say, but it could be caused from sleeping too. I can feel the mild soreness when turning or stretching my neck. <br /><br />The weird thing is, you can drink water infected with the parasite without anything happening because it can only infect when introduced into the nose (it travels directly to the brain from the nose and causes some kind of meningitis) or thats what it says online.
If you decide to go to your doctor about this concern, please be advised that he may (a) raise his eyebrows, (b) laugh, or (c) act serious and then talk about you after you leave.
You do not live in Lousiana. Although I am not an expert of what is going around in the water systems of British Columbia (other than salmon of course), I suspect there has not been a case ever reported in your area.
Since you are having many symptoms, you can at least see your medical provider to see what is causing those.
You do not live in Lousiana. Although I am not an expert of what is going around in the water systems of British Columbia (other than salmon of course), I suspect there has not been a case ever reported in your area.
Since you are having many symptoms, you can at least see your medical provider to see what is causing those.
Report This| Share this:Question about water entering the noseIf you decide to go to your doctor about this concern, please be advised that he may (a) raise his eyebrows, (b) laugh, or (c) act serious and then talk about you after you leave.<br /> <br />You do not live in Lousiana. Although I am not an expert of what is going around in the water systems of British Columbia (other than salmon of course), I suspect there has not been a case ever reported in your area.<br /> <br />Since you are having many symptoms, you can at least see your medical provider to see what is causing those.
Gilbanna replied to pleasehelpme87's response:
This is a serious concern going around. How are you doing these days? What did you figure out about how you felt back then?
Report This| Share this:Question about water entering the noseThis is a serious concern going around. How are you doing these days? What did you figure out about how you felt back then?
