At the beginning of the 20th century doctors shocked a serious illness called encephalitis Lethargica that led patients to self -harm. A condition that with its symptoms Initially resembled an ordinary influenza, triggered an epidemic lasting for several years. , although the disease has been widespread more than a century ago, its cases have been occurring to this day.
- Encephalitis Lethargica is a serious inflammatory disease of the brain.
- The first cases were recorded in 1917 during the epidemic.
- The disease causes neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
- The cause of the disease is still unknown to this day.
Encephalitis lethargica je Atypical form of brain inflammation, which was first recorded in 1917 by neurologist Constantin von Economo and pathologist Jean-Vané Cruchet. Spread over a century ago, and that Especially during the culminating epidemic of the Spanish influenza after the 1st World War IIwhen cases have occurred in several European countries. The exact number of infected patients during this epidemic is unknown but It is estimated that there were more than a million in the world.
However unusual is that after that The disease reached the peak in the 20s of the 20th century, in the next decades the number of cases has significantly decreased. Nevertheless, it occurs to this day, with Doctors have been treating approximately 80 patients over the past 85 years.
This rare disease is characterized by several serious symptoms. Experts have found that initially causes influenza -like symptoms such as sore throat, cough, fever or headache and muscle pain. Patients may also occur hypersomnia (excessive drowsiness) that causes a feeling of fatigue even during normal activities.
As the disease progresses, Patients may also experience various neurological changes including irritability, confusion and hopelessness. Later may also affect the eyes and lead to ophthalmoplegia, paralysis of muscles that control eye movement, causing vision problems. The disease also affects the movement of patients who may have symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease such as tremors, stiffness and slowness.
The disease caused neurological changes. (illustration photo)
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Doctors noticed that Infected patients often passed periods of vigilant coma. Although they were up, were unable to respond to external stimuli or communicate. After this stage, Persons either completely recovered or died as a result of respiratory complications.
In part of patients, despite healing, there were significant changes in the personality that usually manifested themselves unpredictable behavior, including pathological deception, violence or self -harm. In one recorded case The person went so far away that she scrambled his own eyes.
How did patients get infected?
Doctors To this day exactly do not know what this disease can cause. Since in most cases, patients initially had similar symptoms similar to influenza, Some experts believe it was created along with the Spanish flubut a direct link to the virus has never been detected. Another theory is Streptococcal bacteria that could have caused an autoimmune reaction leading to brain inflammation.
