Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a degenerative and fatal brain disorder. Usually, onset of symptoms occurs around age 60, and about 90 percent of individuals die within a year. Early symptoms consist of failing memory, behavioral changes, lack of coordination and visual disturbances. Progressive symptoms include severe mental deterioration, involuntary movements, blindness and weakness of extremities. Often, the patient may fall into a coma before succumbing to the disease.
There are three major categories of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: sporadic, hereditary and acquired. Acquired CJD is the concern in the recent Novant Health d/b/a Forsyth Medical Center cases. In acquired CJD, the disease is transmitted by exposure to brain or nervous system tissue, usually through certain medical procedures. There is no evidence that CJD can be spread through casual contact with a CJD patient.
If you have potentially been exposed to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, contact the Law Office of Kevin J. Williams, PLLC, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at (336)793-8459 to discuss your options. You may also use the contact form to send Kevin an e-mail.
