Summary:
Kali Hardig, a 12-year-old Arkansas girl, has been in the Arkansas Children's Hospital since early this summer with a rare amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri. This brain-eating parasite is mostly found in the southeastern United States in hot springs, and warm, fresh water, and according to the Arkansas Department of Health, Willow Springs Water Park in Little Rock is likely where she caught the amoeba. "This infection is one of the most severe infections that we know of," Dr. Dirk Haselow of the Arkansas Department of Health said about Kali's case. "Ninety-nine percent of people who get it die." When Kali first entered the hospital, she was in crucial condition, passive and unable to breath. She was treated with an anti-fungal medicine, antibiotics, and a new experimental anti-amoeba drug that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent the doctors. A couple weeks ago, doctors analyzed the girl's cerebral spinal fluid and failed to identify any presence of the amoeba. They hope that this dramatic improvement will continue.
Analysis:
Reading this article touched my heart and made me step back and look at reality through different eyes. I can't even imagine what Kali Hardig's family has been going through this summer. A simple trip to the water park for a day of fun could have very easily turned out fatal for this little girl. The government agency's website states that, "the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within one to 12 days." That is absolutely terrifying! One day you're fine and the next you're deathly ill and your mom takes you to the hospital and you are told that your chances of living are slim to none. Zachary Reyna of Florida died just last month of the parasite after receiving the exact same experimental drug that was used on Kali. Fortunately, it seems in this case that Kali will be better soon. I hope that in the future the treatment will continue to have such favorable results.
Here is the link to my article:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/01/health/arkansas-amoeba-survivor/index.html?hpt=us_c2
It's crazy how you can be on your death bed just hours after enjoying being in water with your friends and family. I'm so glad she was that 10% survivor. I hope that her survival aids researchers for finding a better cure for the bacteria in case other people face the same struggles.
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