ENCEPHALITIS CASES

Encephalitis Cases

Dave

Hi, my name is Kristin and this story is about my fiancée' Dave. A little background on Dave: He's 27, healthy, a small business owner and an all around great guy! About 3 weeks ago I was woken up by Dave's constant movement in bed. That day I had taken him to the doctors for flu like symptoms. They sent him home with antibiotics and everything was fine other than him not feeling well. During his constant movement, I got up and found him in a state of confusion. He knew who I was because he kept on kissing me and hugging me. He couldn't talk and he was foaming at the mouth and doing repetitive things.

I called 911 immediately and it took 4 EMT's to get Dave onto a stretcher. They got him to Chippenham hospital and the ER doctor on staff immediately started testing for meningitis. Needless to say, it came back negative. So they started treating him with sedatives and antibiotics. The next day a CT and MRI scan noted inflammation of the brain. Once that was noted, he was immediately put on acyclovir. He had 4 seizures with in the first 2 days and has not had any since then. His acute phase of "E" has gradually gone away over a 2 week time span. It's been 3 weeks and he has movement and can walk a little bit. He still isn't all together awake as far as processing things, but he recognizes voices and touch. He makes improvements daily, but it's baby steps. His doctors feel that he's on a stable recovery path, but things will work out in their own time.

Dave will be moved to MCV's brain injury rehab center in 1 week. Hopefully there we will be able to stimulate him more and get him to function to his fullest capabilities. Till this day, his doctors don't know what brought on his "E". They think that it was a respiratory response to either HSV, hypoxia, or possible ADEM. To what degree he'll recover is unknown, but I pray and hope for the best. If anyone has just encountered "E" with a loved one, please let me know.

Dave is all I've every dreamed of and I am not backing away. If anything, this will bring us closer together and we'll have the grounds for a great marriage. Thanks for listening!

Kristin Wood
Richmond, VA. U.S.A.

Posted: Feb., 16 2005

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