encephalitis can be caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses
because symptoms
can be mild, mimicking the flu, or other illnesses — headaches, confusion and high temperatures — medical care can be delayed, increasing the risk that patients will be left with life-changing cognitive, behavioural, or physical
changes
, such as memory issues, trouble with coordination or muscle weakness. there is also a chance of death.
as for what causes encephalitis, according to
brain injury canada
, brain inflammation can develop from exposure to
bacteria, parasites (such as ticks), and viral infections (including covid-19). the west nile virus, for example, is just one virus that can cause encephalitis.
parent, who calls the condition “the beast,” spent a month in hospital, gradually regaining his strength and mobility, and was discharged in early october at his request, but left to figure out next steps on his own. he became depressed and now suffers from intense anxiety.
he finally found help earlier this year through the
encephalitis society
and is recovering with therapy. he’s also returned to his job, although he has some memory loss.
encephalitis linked to depression, suicide
two new research papers from authors in mexico and the u.k., have linked brain inflammation and depression, revealing that encephalitis patients are at a high risk of suicide. they were both published on feb. 22, world encephalitis day, to help raise awareness.
the mexican paper,
published in the journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences
, looked at data from 120 patients, where 12.5 per cent had suicidal behaviours during early stages of the condition with nearly half of those 12.5 per cent attempting suicide.
the u.k. web-based study
surveyed 445 respondents from 31 countries and found that 37.5 per cent of survivors of encephalitis had considered suicide and 4.4 per cent had attempted suicide since their diagnosis.
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