Helping Mr C to recover at home after encephalitis

When Mr C began to overheat on the way back from a football match, he put it down to 'just a fever.' Little did he know, that the next day he would be rushed to hospital fighting for his life. The 25-year-old graphic designer from Hampton was suffering from viral encephalitis, which causes inflammation in the brain, often with fatal results.

He said: "The day after the football match I was suffering from hallucinations and had a taste of marzipan in my mouth. My mum phoned the emergency GP and when she described my symptoms, they called an ambulance straight away. Then I had a seizure. I don't really remember any of it, this is what I've been told."

Mr C was kept in hospital for ten days before being sent home to be treated by MediHome, which provides acute healthcare services including nursing care to patients in a home environment. Having endured a difficult week and a half in hospital, he was very relieved to learn that he was going to continue his treatment at home.

Speaking from his home in February 2011, he said: "After a week and a half in hospital I just wanted to come home. There's nothing like the comfort of your own bed."

Mr C doesn't remember much about the events leading up to his hospitalisation as encephalitis has affected his memory, the extent of which is still being assessed by a neurologist.

He still doesn't know how he contracted the virus either, as it is very rare. He said: "It was caused by the herpes virus which is carried by about 70% of people. Normally it doesn't cause any problems but I was very unlucky and it went to my brain causing the encephalitis. I only found this out very recently. The hospital didn't know anything about it.” He added: "The care I received at home was fantastic. The nurses from MediHome were very organised and friendly and they really put me at ease."