Summer Safety Spotlight: The Truth About Naegleria Fowleri

An episode of the Flourish- A Prisma Health Podcast podcast, hosted by PRISMA Health, titled "Summer Safety Spotlight: The Truth About Naegleria Fowleri" was published on August 6, 2025.

August 6, 2025 · Flourish- A Prisma Health Podcast

Summary

In light of a recent confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri—commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba”—in South Carolina, we spoke with Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch, MD, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. With her expertise and firsthand experience treating these rare but devastating infections, Dr. Burch offers insights into how the amoeba spreads, what symptoms to watch for, and how families can protect themselves during summer water activities.

Episode Description

In light of a recent confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri—commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba”—in South Carolina, we spoke with Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch, MD, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. With her expertise and firsthand experience treating these rare but devastating infections, Dr. Burch offers insights into how the amoeba spreads, what symptoms to watch for, and how families can protect themselves during summer water activities.