Teen fighting for his life after contracting brain-eating amoeba at Florida beach

Doctors told his parents that a brain-eating amoeba had entered the 13-year-old's body

through his nose and infected his brain.

Naegleria fowleri, colloquially known as a "brain-eating amoeba"

It is typically found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, hot springs, and poorly chlorinated swimming pools, and can also be found in soil.

It infects people by entering the nose and travelling to the brain.

Symptoms of PAM usually start within 1-7 days after infection and include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck.

The disease progresses rapidly and can lead to death within 1-2 weeks.