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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Encephalopathy A Contagious Disease?

A family member that is an addict she was diagnosed with Encephalopathy, her brain was swelled and she had an infection in the brain. I found her on Sept 18th non- responsive and cleaned up after her and have been really sick with a headache and viral symptoms and it has not stopped since that day. I went to the Urgent care and they thought it was a virus but was unsure what kind and put me on Flagel I think it is called for 3 days and then Cephalexin and I am still having the same symptoms so I was wondering if Encephalopathy is contagious. I use no drugs.
Thu, 21 Mar 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Encephalopathy is more of a descriptive term, it can be caused by multiple things, so no, it's not contagious. However, if your relative had an addiction disorder and used IV drugs, there is the risk of Heptatitis B, Hepatitis C, and other contagious diseases which can be transmitted from blood and bodily fluids. You would not have developed symptoms that same day though, as they have long incubation periods. But I think you should have blood tests for HIV, Hep B, Hep C, and if a source for infection was identified in your relative, get tested for that too.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
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Is Encephalopathy A Contagious Disease?

Hello, Encephalopathy is more of a descriptive term, it can be caused by multiple things, so no, it s not contagious. However, if your relative had an addiction disorder and used IV drugs, there is the risk of Heptatitis B, Hepatitis C, and other contagious diseases which can be transmitted from blood and bodily fluids. You would not have developed symptoms that same day though, as they have long incubation periods. But I think you should have blood tests for HIV, Hep B, Hep C, and if a source for infection was identified in your relative, get tested for that too. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician