ENCEPHALITIS CASES -

Encephalitis Cases

Adam

My child, Adam was a very bright active 9 year old when he became ill this past March of 2001. He was getting ready to go to school and started complaining of a headache. He had suffered cold type symptoms in the past few weeks. I took him to the family doctor who dx him with right lower lobe pneumonia and gave him medicine. At home he became very lethargic and complained of not feeling well. I took him to the ER as I thought maybe he was dehydrated because he had not been drinking or eating. They gave him IVs but he didn't perk up at all. His face looked like it had no expression on it. I really got scared when they drew blood and he didn't fuss (he hates needles). The nurse forgot to take off the tourniquet and he didn't seem to notice. They admitted him a cat scan, which did not show anything. They did an MRI, which showed changes in the basal ganglia. He was transferred to Children's Hospital where they did numerous tests, as they weren't sure what was wrong. He became weaker and unable to swallow. He had to wear diapers and had great difficulty speaking or moving, although he was very aware of where he was. Adam had a spinal tap and other tests that show that he had Encephalitis from mycoplasma. (The area of the brain that infection attacked was the same that is affected in Parkinsons.) He had symptoms that were similar to Parkinsons but not true Parkinsons.

Adam had a spinal tap and other tests that show that he had Encephalitis from mycoplasma. (The area of the brain that infection attacked was the same that is affected in Parkinsons.) He had symptoms that were similar to Parkinsons but not true Parkinsons.

He has had ongoing problems ever since. He saw a neuropsychologist who said he has ADHD. He continues to have problems with motor skills and has ot. He gets extremely frustrated and has had personality changes. On a follow up MRI they said there was some necrosis of tissues in the brain?? Adam has had a recent episode of major depression that has responded well to anti-depressants. Strangely, you do often see this in patients with true Parkinsons ((I work in a nursing home). He went to inpatient rehab for physical therapy, which along with the medication really helped him recover, and he is healthy today.

Finally I wanted to mention I saw a movie Awakenings with Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams that was about people with Encephalitis in 1926 or as they referred to it the sleeping sickness. Although there have been many advances in medicine since the, I think the same underlying theme applies- that CARING and love from family and other people and determination in yourself are still powerful equations in the healing factor!

Thanks!

Shelley
Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Posted: May 1, 2001

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