Can infection be spread from one person to another?
Infection with Naegleria causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, Naegleria infection may be similar to bacterial meningitis. Initial symptoms of PAM start 1 to 14 days after infection. The initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within 3 to 7 days.
