CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ohio native Lauren Seitz had her whole life ahead of her.
But it was cut short following a rafting trip to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. Days later she got sick and died.
The cause of her untimely death is likely a brain eating amoeba, that gained entry through her nose.
"We're in constant contact with various viruses and amoeba on a daily basis," said Davidson College Professor of Biology and Microbiologist Dave Wessner.
For more than 20 years he’s been studying how these tiny viruses can cause disease and even death.
Dr. Wessner said amoeba is fairly common in warm water throughout the southeast, but usually is not harmful.
"What is uncommon is the disease it causes it humans, that's a fairly rare occurrence," Wessner said.
The CDC reports just 37 infections nationwide, between 2006 and 2015. Still some parents are concerned following the news of the teen’s death.
"I have children and I wouldn't want them swimming anywhere they could get an infection," James Hodge explained.
"I mean if you can just go in the lake and think something like that could happen to you it’s very scary," Neil Smith added.
Others said they plan to continue hitting the lakes for a swim.
"I'm not going to knee jerk and be nervous about getting in the water right now," said Mark Shanklin.
Wednesday, the Whitewater Center issued a statement saying it is examining the facts and remains a responsible and reasonable facility.
In warmer areas where this infection has been more common, recommended precautions include:
• Limit the amount of water going up your nose. Hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when taking part in warm freshwater-related activities.
• Avoid water-related activities in warm fresh water during periods of high water temperature and low water levels.
• Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm fresh water areas.
"I wouldn't tell my son to do anything differently. i wouldn't say we're going to avoid Lake Norman, we're going to avoid the white water center. i think that's an overreaction to what's happened here," Wessner said.