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What Causes Encephalitis?
Question: I travelled to XXXXXXX with twelve year old granddaughter in XXXXXXX .we both got flu .she had high temp.took antibiotics but still had high temp.local country hospital would not admit her wrote on page give 600 paracetemol every six hours and neurofin every eight hours.i am seventy and gave tablets simultaneously rather than consecutively .also I was sick,was stressed had dozile .antidressents,panadol for husband all in plastic container,I may have given her wrong meds.she had meds over two days and then got tired and drowsy and felt cold.on the fifth day on way to airport she got seizures she had complained of sore neck and shoulder before that,she was admitted into children's hospital temple st in Dublin and was in status electric us,I told them I might have given her anti depresses but had forgotten about others.she was in intensive care for ten days and is on two meds for seizures ow four months later.WHEN I BEGAN TO THINK CLEARLY I LOOKED UP PARACETOL POISONING AND WAS SHOCKED TO READ THAT IT COULD CAUSE LIVER FAILURE SEVERAL MONTHS DOWN THE TRACK.I AM DISTRAUGHT AND IN TERRIBLE ANXIETY AS EVERY DAY IM WATCHING FOR SYMPTOMS.HOSPITAL diagnosed encephalitis but could not identify a virus.would neurologist have missed poisoning as a cause .what is the percent chance of her having liver failure at this point.she is back in school.
Brief Answer:
I agree with a diagnosis of encephalitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted the history and treatment details of your granddaughter.
I would agree with her doctors regarding the diagnosis of encephalitis.
The clinical picture is highly suggestive of encephalitis. It is fairly common to be not able to isolate the virus in cases of encephalitis. MRI brain, EEG and lumbar puncture findings would help in confirming the diagnosis of encephalitis.
Regarding paracetamol poisoning, it would not happen at a dose mentioned by you. Also, the paracetamol toxicity is acute and leads to fulminant hepatic failure (severe liver damage), which would be easily diagnosed by blood tests and ultrasound scan of liver.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
I agree with a diagnosis of encephalitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted the history and treatment details of your granddaughter.
I would agree with her doctors regarding the diagnosis of encephalitis.
The clinical picture is highly suggestive of encephalitis. It is fairly common to be not able to isolate the virus in cases of encephalitis. MRI brain, EEG and lumbar puncture findings would help in confirming the diagnosis of encephalitis.
Regarding paracetamol poisoning, it would not happen at a dose mentioned by you. Also, the paracetamol toxicity is acute and leads to fulminant hepatic failure (severe liver damage), which would be easily diagnosed by blood tests and ultrasound scan of liver.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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