Encephalitis: symptoms and delayed diagnosis claims
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. It is often caused when viruses travel to the brain and infect it, or when the body’s own immune system attacks the brain. Common symptoms of encephalitis include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Aching muscles and joints
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Changes in personality and behaviour
- Difficulty speaking
- Weakness or loss of sensation in some parts of the body
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Vision problems or involuntary eye movements
- Loss of consciousness
Stroke: symptoms and delayed diagnosis claims
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, causing injury to the brain.
Red flag symptoms of stroke include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness or weakness in the limbs (especially on one side of the body)
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Loss of vision or blurred eyesight in one or both eyes
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Meningitis: symptoms and delayed diagnosis claims
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria.
Common symptoms of meningitis include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Cold hands/feet
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Confusion or altered consciousness
- Inability to tolerate light or loud noises.
Young children do not always show these signs. They often exhibit only non-specific symptoms, such as drowsiness, irritability or poor feeding.
Non-malignant brain tumour: symptoms and delayed diagnosis claims
A benign (non-cancerous/malignant) brain tumour is an abnormal growth in the brain that does not invade the surrounding brain tissue or spread to the spinal cord. Non-cancerous brain tumours tend to stay in one place however they can grow.
Common symptoms of non-malignant brain tumour include:
- new, persistent headaches.
- seizures (epileptic fits)
- persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
- mental or behavioural changes, such as changes in personality.
- weakness or paralysis, vision problems, hearing problems or speech problems.
- drowsiness, depression, decreased cardiac and respiratory function.
Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the tumour. Children may experience symptoms differently.
Discover how non-malignant brain tumours may relate to your medical negligence claim, visit our dedicated page for more information.
When delayed diagnosis of a brain condition may be medical negligence
It is vital that brain conditions are correctly diagnosed and treated early to reduce the risk of permanent brain damage.
You may have a legal claim for compensation if you have experienced any of the following situations which have caused you to suffer brain injury:
- A medical professional (e.g. GP, hospital staff) fails to investigate despite you presenting with obvious symptoms of a brain condition and this failure leads to a delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment;
- A medical professional misdiagnoses your condition, leading to a delay in a correct diagnosis and treatment;
- A medical professional correctly diagnoses your condition but fails to provide the appropriate treatment – allowing the condition to worsen.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to giving patients who have suffered a brain condition the best chance to make a good recovery. If any of these conditions are left untreated, the consequences can be irreparable.
