Experiencing Temple Pain After Lake Swimming
I’m a 23-year-old male, standing at 6’3" and weighing 190 pounds. This past weekend, I enjoyed a swim at the lake, but now it has been three days and I’m starting to experience severe pain in my temples. During the outing, I went tubing on a jet ski, fell off, and ended up with water rushing into my mouth and nose. Honestly, I’m feeling anxious about the possibility of contracting Naegleria fowleri. Can anyone inform me whether this could be a concern and what steps I should take next? I've been feeling extremely fatigued, with persistent discomfort behind my eyes and in my temples.
Answers (1)

9/3/2025, 3:11:25 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're going through a concerning experience with your temple pain and associated symptoms after your swim. Given your description, there are a few key points to address:
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Potential Causes of Your Symptoms: Temple pain and fatigue can result from several factors, including tension headaches (especially after physical activities), sinus pressure (from water exposure or swimming), or even mild infections. Your experience of water rushing into your mouth and nose could also lead to irritation or inflammation.
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Concerns About Naegleria fowleri: While it’s understandable to be anxious about this rare but serious amoebic infection, it's important to note that Naegleria fowleri is extremely rare and typically requires water to enter through the nasal passages. Symptoms usually appear within 1-2 weeks after exposure, and early signs can include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, often followed by more severe neurological symptoms. Your symptoms appear to be more immediate and localized, which is less typical of this infection.
Next Steps:
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Hydrate & Rest: Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, as dehydration can contribute to headache and fatigue. Rest as much as possible to allow your body to recover.
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Manage Pain: For your headache and temple pain, using over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help, but be sure to follow the recommended dosage.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on how your symptoms change over the next few days. If you start to feel better, it’s likely a temporary irritation. However, if you experience any additional symptoms such as fever, severe neck stiffness, confusion, or worsening headaches, it would become more critical to seek medical guidance.
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Practice Relaxation Techniques: Given your anxiety, consider trying some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or gentle stretching to help ease tension.
If you’re feeling uncertain or your symptoms worsen, it’s okay to seek a professional evaluation for peace of mind and to rule out other concerns. Take care, and remember that it’s always good to listen to your body and seek help when needed.
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