Meningitis/encephalitis is sometimes misdiagnosed as Autoimmune Disease

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Autoimmune Disease, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Meningitis/encephalitis.

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain tissues which can be caused by a viral infection. Although in over 60% of cases the cause of the encephalitis is never diagnosed. The symptoms of encephalitis are typically those of mild influenza but may also present with vision, speech or hearing problems, hallucinations, personality changes and loss of consciousness. Due to these nonspecific symptoms encephalitis could be misdiagnosed as the result of drugs, or mental health disorders. Without swift antibiotic treatment patients could have severe consequences including hearing or speech loss, cognitive disabilities, memory loss and lack of muscle control. Resulting in the need for long term therapy, medication and supportive medical care.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Sudden increase in body temperature, nausea or vomiting, double vision, drowsiness, sensitivity to bright light, stiff neck, seizures, change in behaviour, confusion and disorientation, distinctive rashes , renal and adrenal gland failure and shock, trouble with speech or hearing, double vision, hallucinations, changes in personality, partial paralysis in limbs, impaired judgment, memory loss, not waking for feedings, vomiting, body stiffness, unexplained/unusual irritability, full or bulging fontanel, severe headache, loss of consciousness, loss of sensation in some parts of the body, muscle weakness

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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