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Posting this as a heads up. May be old news to some

Nasal irrigation device linked to deadly brain-eating amoeba 25

QMI AGENCY
A device for flushing out stuffed sinuses has been been linked to a deadly brain-eating amoeba.

The Louisiana Department of Health put out a warning last week about neti pots after two people in the state died from what is believed to be their improper use of the device.

The pots look like mini genie lamps and are used to irrigate the sinuses to relieve congestion from a cold or allergies.

A 51-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man became infected with Naegleria fowleri - the so-called brain-eating amoeba - after using a neti pot filled with tap water instead of the recommended sterilized water, officials said in a news release.

"If you are irrigating, flushing or rinsing your sinuses, for example, by using a neti pot, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution," said Louisiana State epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard.

"Tap water is safe for drinking, but not for irrigating your nose."

He added that it's important to rinse the device after each use and leave it to air dry.

Naegleria fowleri infections are very rare. The amoeba typically enters the body through the nose and can occur when people submerge their heads in warm freshwater lakes and rivers, or in inadequately chlorinated swimming pools. You cannot be infected with Naegleria fowleri by drinking water.

The pathogen causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, symptoms of PAM may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis and can include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations.

The disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within one to 12 days, say the health officials.

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http://goatrockukulele.com

Yup. I only use distilled water in my neti bottles. I also keep them sterilized.

Had to start using them weekly a few years ago when I had a brain tumor removed through my nose.
Nasal irrigation has really improved my life!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I have been considering using them recently.
Thanks for the heads up!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I had sinus surgery last year and the doc gave me a kit that contained a squeeze bottle and some power to mix with the water. I used it a couple times but it felt like I was drowning so I stopped using it. I think I'm good with out it. Although, I have a friend who uses it every day.

Hutch

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Like most stories we overexagerate the likely hood of something bad happening because we we see ourselves in similar circumstances. These people lived in an area with poor water treatment systems allowing the amobeas to surive in the supply. Let your kids play outside they are much more likely to be struck by lightning on a sunny day than be abducted by a stranger. Going through life parinoid and fearing everything that could potentially occur leads to a sorry life.
I use hot tap water in my pot.

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No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.
Christopher Morley

As far as comfort, I noticed a tremendous difference depending upon the water source. Distilled water or reverse osmosis water with the salt powder provided was very comfortable. Bottled "drinking water", probable from well water, with the salt powder was very uncomfortable.

As others have noted, good water makes a big difference in the feel, but nobody has mentioned the most important aspect, and that is the temperature. If you can get the temp of the water to be exactly at your body temp, you won't feel a thing. No drowning effect, no "water up the nose while swimming effect, nothing.

I also toss the bottle, tube and cap in the dishwasher every now and again to sterilize it, and change to a new set twice a year or so.

Been rinsing for many years now; made a HUGE difference in my life.

As for the folks using questionable city water for a nasal rinse, well, they're candidates for a Darwin Award.

Like Mario says use warm water.
I heat mine in the micro wave for 20 to 30 seconds then test it on my wrist, just like feeding a baby.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

If you use the bottle method vs the Netti-pot method, you can just put the full bottle in a pan of hot tap water. It only takes a couple of minutes or so for the water in the bottle to warm up. It does not have to be very hot - 98* or so. Also, for those of you who use the Neil Med packages, the membership stores BJ's and Costco, sell 250 package boxes with two bottles inside for about $15.99, which is quite a savings, and there is no need to use a bottle for extended times. Neil med actually recommends changing it out every 90 days.

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Waddy

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