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Encephalitis: The Silent Brain Disease That Changed a Veteran's Life
21 Feb
Summary
- Encephalitis affects roughly 250,000 U.S. hospital patients in the last decade.
- Symptoms include flu-like illness, loss of consciousness, and memory problems.
- Recovery is possible, with one veteran completing a marathon after treatment.
World Encephalitis Day aims to increase awareness of a serious brain inflammation. In the last decade, an estimated 250,000 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the condition. Doug Upton, a U.S. Marine veteran, shared his personal battle, describing how his legs went numb and he struggled to move, nearly losing hope of walking again.
Upton's symptoms worsened significantly in 2022, with effects including inability to walk or speak, loss of sensation, fading memory, pain, and vision loss. Initially suspected as a complication of his Multiple Sclerosis medication, further medical tests revealed he had autoimmune encephalitis. This condition, characterized by brain inflammation, can be infectious or autoimmune and carries a significant mortality rate.
Encephalitis International has launched a new campaign, F.L.A.M.E.S., to help recognize major symptoms early: Flu-like symptoms, Loss of consciousness, Acute headache, Memory problems, Emotional or behavioral changes, and Seizures. After extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation, Upton has regained his mobility and strength, even completing the Marine Corps Marathon last October, a testament to his resilience.
