HomeAnswersNeurologyparkinson's diseaseCan viral fever lead to Parkinson's disease?

Can viral fever lead to Parkinson's disease?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At August 6, 2018
Reviewed AtJuly 26, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had a viral fever six years back. I had a very high temperature of 105, bad cough, also hallucinations. I was seen in the hospital by a center for disease control and prevention (CDC) doctor and was told I needed to see him a month after I got out of the hospital. I saw him and asked him what I had, and got no answer what so ever, I was still feeling pretty bad. Later that year I had my left knee replaced, and other than some side effects from the anesthetic everything went well. I had some slight balance problems, and a slight tremor in my right hand for about three years before the virus. I went to a neurologist and was told it was nothing. Last month I had my right knee replaced, and within a few days I had a severe tremor in right hand, weakness on the right side of my body, and was dragging my right foot, and severe speech problems. My wife took me to emergency room (ER) as she thought I was having a stroke. I was in the hospital three days, and was told it was stress and was given a script for CARB or LEVO ER 25/100, told to make an appointment with a psychologist, and motion specialists. I was able to see a motion specialist, and was diagnosed with Parkinsonian features affecting balance, gait, aphasia, apraxia, and was told this was brought about by the virus I had six years back more than likely. I get a fairly good response from the medication once it kicks in. I have some pain in my joints, and suffer a low-temperature fever about three nights a week, and have been getting speech therapy two times a week. I can no longer work and wonder if you have any experience with this. I have had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)s and dopamine transporter scan (DAT) scans which are normal.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I want to assure you that do not worry as everything is going to be fine if proper care and treatment is opted in for. I have thoroughly gone through your case and can well understand your genuine health concerns. The probable cause is Starting back even before six years you had the onset of what we call Parkinson disease. This is a disease, nobody may ever be able to stop or make it to a pause even with medications. But we may delay the onset of symptoms of the disease for sure. The dopamine-producing neurons are lost in the brain and the patient loses the inhibitory effect of the neurotransmitter dopamine on our activities. The patient presents with unintentional movements of body parts which were normally kept in check by the inhibitory action of the brain chemical dopamine. Treatment plan include taking the best available therapy Levodopa Carbidopa. Patients give a positive response to this drug. You need to carry on the treatment. This will help you keep the symptoms suppressed for as long as you keep taking the medicine. Temazepam is also good for you. It is a second line drug treatment and controls the shakiness and tremors. Keep up with this treatment and speech therapy and keep a follow up.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif
Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Cardiology

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