It took 15 days and three trips to hospital before Geoff Martin learned he had a life-threatening condition.
Geoff Martin thought he was coming down with the flu before he got a cracking headache that wouldn’t budge for days. He was twice sent home from hospital until, nearly two weeks after he was uncharacteristically flattened by fatigue, doctors diagnosed him with herpes simplex encephalitis.
Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain tissue, is a devastating condition caused by a virus attacking the brain, or through a person’s immune system targeting the brain in error. “The altered behaviour or level of consciousness, with a fever or headache, or a fit, that’s the complex that makes you think of encephalitis. It’s the combination we want to make doctors aware of,” Britton said.
Martin, of Dulwich Hill, was about to be sent home from the emergency department for the third time when an earlier spinal tap procedure revealed the cold sore virus was attacking his brain. The swelling caused a major haemorrhage – “my brain exploded” – and he spent 22 days in hospital on intravenous antivirals.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘My brain exploded’: Geoff thought he had the flu, but he was wrongIt took 15 days and three trips to hospital before Geoff Martin learned he had a life-threatening condition.
Read more »
‘I don’t like to lose’: Giant-killer Geoff Cousins declares war on controversial NSW industryThe man who stopped the Gunns pulp factory is turning his attention to this state’s hardwood forests.
Read more »
Report: Coldplay’s Chris Martin and actress Dakota Johnson engaged7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
The Zone of Interest: the dark psychological insight of Martin Amis’s Holocaust novel is lost in the film adaptationIn The Zone of Interest, Martin Amis represents our familiar world from a radically unfamiliar angle.
Read more »
Socceroos star Martin Boyle in a stable condition after suffering head injury during Scottish Cup quarterfinalSocceroos striker Martin Boyle is taken to hospital after landing awkwardly on his head during a Scottish Cup match between Hibernians and Rangers.
Read more »
Gold Coast defeat Richmond in Damien Hardwick’s first match as Suns fans make Dustin Martin pitch7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »