High Fever Can Cause Temporary Mental Disorder In Humans
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| Brain |
They include substance abuse such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or psychological conditions such as stress or anxiety and depression. But the one we will talk about today is the one cause by medical causes such as high fever.
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High fever is caused by a number of factors. But the most common reason is malaria or typhoid fever and other infection. Psychosis cause by infection is usually brief and does not really require antipsychosis medication. It does not present in every infection but occur towards the end stage of the infection.
According to one research (Typhoid fever presenting as acute psychosis; May RK Nair etc Al MJAFI, 2003; 59 p. 252-253), neuropsychiatric complications are reported in as much as 45-76% of patients during every stage of typhoid fever. The signs and symptoms are delirium and confusion along with the high fever above 101°F. Out of 959 case study 57% showed some degree of signs and symptoms. The report is as follow:
3.5%- coma
3.1%- bilateral pyramidal signs
1%- transient extrapyramidal
1%- peripheral neuropathy mononeuritis multiplex and post typhoidal schizophrenia form psychosis.
These signs and symptoms can last between days to a week at varying degrees depending on the patient. However patient recover fully from psychosis after treating the infection and temperature is back to normal.
As common as this condition is, there is yet to be a scientific explanation to this strange signs and symptoms associated with high fever. Various theories have been postulated. Some say it could be the toxins from the organisms that could be the cause.
High fever is caused by a number of factors. But the most common reason is malaria or typhoid fever and other infection. Psychosis cause by infection is usually brief and does not really require antipsychosis medication. It does not present in every infection but occur towards the end stage of the infection.
According to one research (Typhoid fever presenting as acute psychosis; May RK Nair etc Al MJAFI, 2003; 59 p. 252-253), neuropsychiatric complications are reported in as much as 45-76% of patients during every stage of typhoid fever. The signs and symptoms are delirium and confusion along with the high fever above 101°F. Out of 959 case study 57% showed some degree of signs and symptoms. The report is as follow:
3.5%- coma
3.1%- bilateral pyramidal signs
1%- transient extrapyramidal
1%- peripheral neuropathy mononeuritis multiplex and post typhoidal schizophrenia form psychosis.
These signs and symptoms can last between days to a week at varying degrees depending on the patient. However patient recover fully from psychosis after treating the infection and temperature is back to normal.
As common as this condition is, there is yet to be a scientific explanation to this strange signs and symptoms associated with high fever. Various theories have been postulated. Some say it could be the toxins from the organisms that could be the cause.
Others link the effect of the infection on the central nervous system and possible autoimmune phenomenon. Unfortunately autopsy report of victims of typhoid with neurological manifestations has failed to provide any guidance to support any of the above theories.
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This is putting clinicians in a very tight corner. So the only way to prevent it is to treat early and prevent the temperature from rising above normal. But when that fail, an antipsychotic drugs may not be the best but a suitable antibiotic with quick onset of action may be the best option.
So when next a patient present with high fever and psychosis signs and symptoms, the best is to evaluate for an infection. It is not a case of village people or diabolic attack.
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Read Also: Patients; Know Your Rights
This is putting clinicians in a very tight corner. So the only way to prevent it is to treat early and prevent the temperature from rising above normal. But when that fail, an antipsychotic drugs may not be the best but a suitable antibiotic with quick onset of action may be the best option.
So when next a patient present with high fever and psychosis signs and symptoms, the best is to evaluate for an infection. It is not a case of village people or diabolic attack.
Share On Social Media With Family And Friends To Show You Care!
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