ENCEPHALITIS CASES

Encephalitis Cases

Jazlin

My daughter Jazlin came down with a vomiting bug on Saturday 12th April 2008, she appeared to be not overly sick. By Monday the 15th I thought something wasn't right. Jazlin appeared worse and was just staying put on the mattress. On the Tuesday morning I decided to take her to the doctor, as in my opinion she should have kicked the bug. I and a few family members had this bug also and it only lasted for 24 hours. The doctor sent Jazlin home and told me to give her fluids and if I still was not happy with her condition to take her to my local hospitals emergency department.

By 8.30pm that night I had made the decision that Jazlin was not improving at all, if anything she was getting worse. Jazlin stayed overnight at the local hospital and when the doctor, came the next day he was not happy at all with Jazlin's condition. The look on his face was enough to worry me even though he was keeping his thoughts on the situation to himself. He performed a spinal tap which showed a few cells for meningitis but not enough to match her condition so he transported her to another hospital with a pediatric doctor to look at Jazlin. By 8.30pm Wednesday this doctor decided that Jazlin had to go to one of the best hospitals in Australia as he was not sure what was going on or what was causing the encephalitis or meningitis. At this point all the tests that they had run so far were coming back negative with no insight into what was happening. By now Jazlin had slipped into a semi comatose state with no response in talking to her or pain tests, she just lay there. All I could think is am I going to lose my little girl. They intubated and put her to sleep for the 1 1/2 drive north to the City hospital and we arrived on the Thursday morning before they removed the breathing tube and brought her out of sedation. Once the sedation drugs had worn off she still was not responding to pain tests had started to make some eye contact.

She stayed in the Intensive care unit for 36 hours before being moved down to the childrens ward where she lay there for a week not talking or moving but would smile and look at us which at the time was the best thing she could do.

10 days later she could finally sit up with assistance and had started saying a few words. On the 15th day she started walking with assistance and was saying more words clearly. By the 20th day she could walk with minimal aid and was definately returning to her cheeky self again. She has lots of physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy ahead but we are glad and so relieved that she is progressing really quickly. Her determination to be independent is why she has recovered so quickly. They are not sure what caused the encephalitis but they suspect the Nora Virus (vomiting and diarohhea bug).

Thanks,

Jazlin
Australia

Posted: May 20, 2008

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