The Miracle of Kali Hardig
Last summer in June, 2012, my family invited me to go to Willow Springs Water Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. My automatic response was no because the last time I visited the park it was not the best experience. I remember the water leaving the smell of urine on my swim trunks and ever since that day, I told myself that I would never go back. The next month there were reports about a 12 year old girl named Kali Hardig, who was diagnosed with a form of parasitic meningitis called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis? Kali contracted this rare brain-eating infection at Willow Springs. Due to Kali’s illness, Willow Springs closed, and the owners said they would only reopen if they could afford a cement bottom. The disease that Kali was diagnosed with is often fatal, but she miraculously recovered, after being treated at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. On October 7th, 2013, Kali returned to the park for the first time since her diagnosis, where she helped the owners announce a benefit event to raise money for her. She was very happy to be able to visit Willow Springs again. Although, this infection is preventable, most that contract this disease are not able to survive.
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Pam) is a form of parasitic meningitis that causes a fatal brain infection. The Meningitis Foundation of America which educates the public regarding the serious infection of meningitis warns that there are “many tiny micro-organisms that cause meningitis” (Meningitis Foundation of America, [MFA], 2005). In general, “Meningitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria” (MFA, 2005). Overall, it is an infection of the meninges, the fragile membranes that cover and guard the brain and spinal cord. There are three layers of protecting membranes: the Dura-- a thick outer layer, the Arachnoid--the middle layer, and the Pea-- the inner layer which is loaded with blood vessels. The brain and spinal cord are in a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. It is this fluid that becomes infected when the disease of meningitis occurs. Once an infection comes into the meninges, “It is difficult for the body’s immune system to fight” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2008). The problem is that the defense cells or the antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid are not as numerous as they are in the blood. When the defense cells come into action, a type of inflammation occurs and “It is the cerebrospinal inflammation of meningitis which damages the brain” (CDC, 2008).
Of the many kinds of meningitis, the most often documented is that caused by viruses (CDC, 2008). Viruses are microorganisms so small they cannot be seen by a normal microscope. A virus is smaller than bacteria; so at times, bacteria may be infected by a virus. Though tiny viruses cause viral meningitis, it is more easily treated than bacterial types (Edward 1999, p.18). Mostly, viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and less serious. The symptoms are mild in comparison to bacterial meningitis. Unfortunately, it is mostly children who are affected by these viruses, rather than adults. The symptoms are the same as the common flu but persist longer and become more severe with time. A person may feel slightly sick, maybe with a headache and a high body temperature. Sometimes a rash will appear on the torso and arms (MFA, 2005). People who are infected with viral meningitis usually do not have the same serious after effects as those infected with the bacterial form of the disease. There are not many fatal documented cases of viral meningitis (CDC, 2008).
However, there are some cases in which the disease is caused by certain types of fungi or protozoa” (MFA, 2005). Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (2013) from recent electronic article on 12 year old Kali says “she became ill from an amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri, a well-known cause of meningitis”.
Naegleria Fowleri infects people by entering the body through the nose. This typically occurs when people go swimming and diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. “The Naegleria Fowleri ameba travels up the nose to the brain and then it destroys the brain tissue. However, several drugs are effective against Naegleria Fowleri” (Meningitis, 2013). Even, when patients were treated, their effectiveness is unclear since almost all infections have been destroyed. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria Fowleri is found in many warm freshwater lakes and rivers in the United States. For example, in the southern states, it is likely that a low risk of Naegleria Fowleri infection will always exist with recreational use of warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The low number of infections makes it difficult to know why a few people have been infected compared to the millions of other people using the same or similar waters across the U.S. who have not been infected (Parasitic Meningitis, 2012).
Because Kali was one of many to have the parasitic meningitis, it was amazing how she survived this infection, when many others have not. She survived because of a type of medication her doctor gave her called Miltefosine, which is effective against microbes and other treatments (Gannett Satellite Information Network, 2013). Miltefosine was developed to treat breast cancer, but it has been found to be effective against water-borne parasites (Foundation, n.d.). Doctors also lowered her temperature to reduce further swelling to her brain. The drug, Miltefosine, was not approved for this general use, so the Disease Control and Prevention center needed special permission from the Food and Drug Administration to give it to Kali's doctors.
There are many ways to prevent a Naegleria Fowleri infection. First, you should refrain from water-related activities. For example, if you do plan to take part in water-related activities, some measures that might reduce risk include: Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels. Second, hold the nose shut or use nose clips when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater. Third, avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas (Parasitic Meningitis, 2012).
On the other hand, the CDC advises that the most effective way to protect yourself and your relatives against certain types of meningitis is through vaccinations. These vaccines include: Meningococcal, Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza type B which has reduced Hib meningitis cases by ninety-five percent. Although vaccinations are important, they should not be considered a sure preventative because they are not hundred percent effective (Meningitis, 2013). Another recommendation from the CDC, is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding people who are sick, and hand washing is so important in the prevention of meningitis. The Mayo Clinic also advises pregnant women to eat only thoroughly cooked meat and avoid unpasteurized milk products to reduce the risk of listeriosis, which can lead to acute bacterial meningitis (Meningitis, 2013).
Although there have been many diagnosed cases of amebic meningoencephalitis, 12 year old Kali Hardig’s case became popular only because she survived the illness. Perhaps, if the Food and Drug Administration and other health agencies put more resources into warnings and inspections of facilities as Willow Springs, these types of incidents that cause such suffering and deaths will not happen. Even though medical science has a drug that was successful in curing the disease in Kali’s case, I agree with Benjamin Franklin that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Pam) is a form of parasitic meningitis that causes a fatal brain infection. The Meningitis Foundation of America which educates the public regarding the serious infection of meningitis warns that there are “many tiny micro-organisms that cause meningitis” (Meningitis Foundation of America, [MFA], 2005). In general, “Meningitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria” (MFA, 2005). Overall, it is an infection of the meninges, the fragile membranes that cover and guard the brain and spinal cord. There are three layers of protecting membranes: the Dura-- a thick outer layer, the Arachnoid--the middle layer, and the Pea-- the inner layer which is loaded with blood vessels. The brain and spinal cord are in a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. It is this fluid that becomes infected when the disease of meningitis occurs. Once an infection comes into the meninges, “It is difficult for the body’s immune system to fight” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2008). The problem is that the defense cells or the antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid are not as numerous as they are in the blood. When the defense cells come into action, a type of inflammation occurs and “It is the cerebrospinal inflammation of meningitis which damages the brain” (CDC, 2008).
Of the many kinds of meningitis, the most often documented is that caused by viruses (CDC, 2008). Viruses are microorganisms so small they cannot be seen by a normal microscope. A virus is smaller than bacteria; so at times, bacteria may be infected by a virus. Though tiny viruses cause viral meningitis, it is more easily treated than bacterial types (Edward 1999, p.18). Mostly, viral meningitis is more common than bacterial meningitis and less serious. The symptoms are mild in comparison to bacterial meningitis. Unfortunately, it is mostly children who are affected by these viruses, rather than adults. The symptoms are the same as the common flu but persist longer and become more severe with time. A person may feel slightly sick, maybe with a headache and a high body temperature. Sometimes a rash will appear on the torso and arms (MFA, 2005). People who are infected with viral meningitis usually do not have the same serious after effects as those infected with the bacterial form of the disease. There are not many fatal documented cases of viral meningitis (CDC, 2008).
However, there are some cases in which the disease is caused by certain types of fungi or protozoa” (MFA, 2005). Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (2013) from recent electronic article on 12 year old Kali says “she became ill from an amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri, a well-known cause of meningitis”.
Naegleria Fowleri infects people by entering the body through the nose. This typically occurs when people go swimming and diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. “The Naegleria Fowleri ameba travels up the nose to the brain and then it destroys the brain tissue. However, several drugs are effective against Naegleria Fowleri” (Meningitis, 2013). Even, when patients were treated, their effectiveness is unclear since almost all infections have been destroyed. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria Fowleri is found in many warm freshwater lakes and rivers in the United States. For example, in the southern states, it is likely that a low risk of Naegleria Fowleri infection will always exist with recreational use of warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The low number of infections makes it difficult to know why a few people have been infected compared to the millions of other people using the same or similar waters across the U.S. who have not been infected (Parasitic Meningitis, 2012).
Because Kali was one of many to have the parasitic meningitis, it was amazing how she survived this infection, when many others have not. She survived because of a type of medication her doctor gave her called Miltefosine, which is effective against microbes and other treatments (Gannett Satellite Information Network, 2013). Miltefosine was developed to treat breast cancer, but it has been found to be effective against water-borne parasites (Foundation, n.d.). Doctors also lowered her temperature to reduce further swelling to her brain. The drug, Miltefosine, was not approved for this general use, so the Disease Control and Prevention center needed special permission from the Food and Drug Administration to give it to Kali's doctors.
There are many ways to prevent a Naegleria Fowleri infection. First, you should refrain from water-related activities. For example, if you do plan to take part in water-related activities, some measures that might reduce risk include: Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels. Second, hold the nose shut or use nose clips when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater. Third, avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas (Parasitic Meningitis, 2012).
On the other hand, the CDC advises that the most effective way to protect yourself and your relatives against certain types of meningitis is through vaccinations. These vaccines include: Meningococcal, Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza type B which has reduced Hib meningitis cases by ninety-five percent. Although vaccinations are important, they should not be considered a sure preventative because they are not hundred percent effective (Meningitis, 2013). Another recommendation from the CDC, is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding people who are sick, and hand washing is so important in the prevention of meningitis. The Mayo Clinic also advises pregnant women to eat only thoroughly cooked meat and avoid unpasteurized milk products to reduce the risk of listeriosis, which can lead to acute bacterial meningitis (Meningitis, 2013).
Although there have been many diagnosed cases of amebic meningoencephalitis, 12 year old Kali Hardig’s case became popular only because she survived the illness. Perhaps, if the Food and Drug Administration and other health agencies put more resources into warnings and inspections of facilities as Willow Springs, these types of incidents that cause such suffering and deaths will not happen. Even though medical science has a drug that was successful in curing the disease in Kali’s case, I agree with Benjamin Franklin that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”