A 12-year-old boy is fighting for his life at the Dell Children's Medical Center after contracting amoebic meningitis. He was diagnosed with the disease after swimming at lake LBJ several days earlier.

Burnet County Health Authority, Dr. Juliette Madrigal, says amoebic meningitis is usually fatal, but it's also extremely rare.

“You get this disease by the amoebae going in through the nose and getting into the brain and the spinal fluid,” said Dr. Madrigal. “The amoebae are everywhere, in all lake water that's over 80 degrees, particularly the stagnant water; however, for somebody to actually contract this disease is very, very, very rare.”

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there have only been 34 cases reported in Texas over the past 35 years. The most recent was in 2005.

“My kids won't be getting in the water for a while. That's too scary,” said Candice Woody, who swims frequently in Lake LBJ.

“I'd get in the water right now -- no problem,” said Barry Burton, a Marble Falls resident.

Dr. Madrigal says any natural body of water or poorly maintained swimming pool could cause the illness in rare cases, but there are some things you can do to further decrease the odds.

“Some of the things you can do are hold your nose when you jump in, don't swim in the real murky water, don't dive down, don't stir up the bottom,” said Dr. Madrigal.

Symptoms of amoebic meningitis usually start three to seven days after swimming in an infected area. They include a stiff neck, headache, fever and vomiting.