Patient's Query
Hi doctor.
My brother is 35 years old and was diagnosed with scrub typhus last week. He is on antibiotics but has been acting really weird for the past two days. He has been talking in his sleep and sometimes just staring at the wall. This morning, he said he felt like he was "floating." He has never had any mental health issues before. I read that this disease can affect the brain. What is happening? Also, he keeps forgetting simple things, like what he was saying mid-sentence. Should we be worried?
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Scrub typhus can affect the brain, and your brother's symptoms (confusion, staring, feeling like he is floating, talking in his sleep, and memory issues) indicate typhus-associated encephalitis. It is a life-threatening condition and can cause seizures, coma, or even death if untreated. It can also lead to inflammation of blood vessels in the brain (vasculitis), which may result in strokes or seizures. Get him to the hospital immediately. He needs an urgent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and lumbar puncture to check for inflammation or infection in the brain.
Oral medication might not be sufficient in this case. He may require intravenous Doxycycline(tetracycline) or Chloramphenicol.
Scrub typhus can also cause multi-organ failure, so he might need additional tests, including:
Complete Blood Count (CBC) – To check white blood cell and platelet count.
Liver Function Test (LFT) – To assess liver involvement.
Chest X-ray or CT scan – To evaluate lung involvement, especially if he develops shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, chest tightness, or coughing.
Kidney Function Test (KFT) – To check kidney involvement.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) – To assess heart function, especially if he experiences chest tightness or chest pain.
He requires urgent medical attention. Take him to the emergency room immediately and request an MRI or lumbar puncture.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Nawrin Hossain
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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