Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
By Karl Krenz
What is CJD?
CJD is a rare, degenerative, and always fatal disease of the brain. It is caused when the PrPC prion protein mutates or is not produced by the brain.
What does CJD do?
Some effects of CJD are: blurred vision, difficulty walking, confusion, dementia, hallucinations, lack of coordination, muscle stiffness or twitching, changes in personality, sleepiness, and speech impairment. Eventually CJD will cause total immobility and loss of speech. The patient will be unable to care for themselves.
How is CJD transmitted?
There are ways to be infected with CJD. A person can inherit it from their parents, or be exposed to the BSE agent (found in cows, or beef). CJD can be given to a person through a blood transfusion or via surgical tools if the previous patient had CJD and the tools were not properly disinfected.
Media Influence
Interpersonal Communication
- Talking quietly
- Creating a calm and quiet environment (soft music is helpful for this)
- Making sure the patient's bed has side railings so they cannot fall out of bed suddenly.
Immediate and Long Term Effects
- Changes in personality
- Confusion and/or disorientation
- Feeling nervous or jumpy
- Sudden muscle jerks or seizures
- Sleepiness
- Speech impairment
Long Term Effects
- Blurred vision
- Changes in walking
- Dementia
- Hallucinations