Indian Teenager Survives Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Thanks to Father’s Quick Thinking
Afnan Jasim, a 14-year-old boy from Kerala, India, is now among a handful of people in the world to survive a rare brain-eating amoeba infection, all thanks to his father’s quick thinking and a stroke of luck.
In June, Afnan went for a swim in a local pond and unknowingly became infected with the deadly amoeba called Naegleria fowleri. The parasite entered his body through contaminated water, leading to the development of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease with a mortality rate of 97%.
Fortunately, Afnan’s father, MK Siddiqui, a dairy farmer, had recently come across a public awareness campaign on social media about the brain-eating amoeba. When Afnan started experiencing seizures and severe headaches, Mr. Siddiqui connected the dots and rushed his son to the hospital.
After being transferred to the Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode, Afnan was treated by Dr. Abdul Rauf, a consultant paediatric intensivist. The disease was diagnosed within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, thanks to Mr. Siddiqui’s timely intervention.
Dr. Rauf explained that the amoeba enters the human body through nasal passages and travels to the brain, releasing chemicals that destroy brain tissue. Most patients die due to increased intracranial pressure caused by the infection.
Treatment for Afnan included a combination of antimicrobial drugs injected into his spine, as well as the administration of Miltefosine, a drug imported from Germany. Within three days, Afnan’s condition started improving, and a week later, tests showed that the amoeba was no longer present in his body.
The experience has left a lasting impact on Afnan, who now aspires to pursue a degree in nursing, inspired by the dedication and hard work of healthcare professionals.
This rare survival story serves as a reminder of the importance of timely treatment and awareness in combating deadly diseases like PAM. The Siddiqui family’s quick actions and the expertise of medical professionals have given Afnan a second chance at life, making him a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.
