Mumbai : Many people are at risk due to “misdiagnosis” of encephalitis a deadly brain inflammation – according to a recent survey, which revealed over half of the surveyed Indian emergency medical professionals missing encephalitis as a potential diagnosis, even when presented with common symptoms.
Many of those surveyed underestimated the severity of encephalitis with 62% not ranking death as a possible patient outcome, following delayed recognition and treatment of encephalitis.
This lack of awareness leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, and poorer patient outcome with death rate reaching up to 40%, while survivors often experience debilitating long-term disabilities, the Survey noted.
While less than half (45%) of emergency medical professionals felt confident in recognizing encephalitis, 83% somewhat or strongly agreed they’d benefit from more training, the Survey stated while highlighting that this critical gap in medical knowledge puts many at risk.
Describing Encephalitis as a “deadly brain inflammation” that can affect anyone regardless of age, sex or ethnicity, Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of Encephalitis International said, “In the wake of these alarming survey findings, it is clear that much more must be done to bridge the gap in encephalitis awareness and expertise.”
“Encephalitis International is determined to increase this awareness among medical professionals through the development of globally accessible training programmes, which will provide them tools to better recognize and treat Encephalitis.”
“Of course, we cannot do this alone and will continue to work alongside international entities, such as the World Health Organisation, to elevate encephalitis as a global health priority,” Dr Easton said on February 22 — World Encephalitis Day.
“Encephalitis International renews its commitment to raising awareness and recognition of encephalitis symptoms among both public and healthcare professionals, while providing them with globally accessible training and continuing to collaborate with international stakeholders — such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) — to make Encephalitis a global priority.”
Encephalitis affects one person every minute globally and has a higher incidence rate than Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) combined. Yet, 80% of the people are unaware of it.
Symptoms of encephalitis vary but can include: Infectious encephalitis (decreased or altered level of consciousness, personality/behavioural change, fever and a headache); Autoimmune encephalitis (memory problems, psychiatric symptoms, decreased or altered level of consciousness and personality change).
“Death rates following encephalitis can be high. Survivors can be left with an acquired brain injury resulting in a wide range of difficulties such as; problems with memory and other cognitive skills, changes in personality, emotional and behavioural difficulties, epilepsy, fatigue and other physical difficulties which can make return to school, work, family and social life very challenging,” she said.
Encephalitis International is a multi-award-winning charity and the leading global resource that is providing support and information, raising awareness of the condition, and collaborating in research,
Since its launch in 2014, World Encephalitis Day has reached over 406 million people worldwide.
