Mono and Seizures

Sometimes, people with mono have complications that result in other issues with their health. One of these issues is nervous system issues. This can result in a number of complications, including cranial nerve palsies and encephalitis. It is also possible to experience other nervous system problems, which might include Guillain-Barre syndrome, meningitis and even seizures.

More on Seizures

Seizures occur when there is a sudden change in the electrical activity in the brain. Most of the time, when people have seizures, they may have alterations in their consciousness, in their movement, and in their actions for a brief amount of time. Seizures can affect anyone - of any color, age or race. While they are not a common result of mono, it is possible that they can be triggered due to the mono virus.

Many Causes of Seizures

Seizures may be due to a severe fever or they may be caused by an imbalance of body fluids or chemicals. For people with diabetes, a low sugar level might bring on a seizure, while for a drug addict, a drug withdrawal could cause this state. For those with mono, the seizure might be the result of an infection in the brain or an imbalance of body fluids.

When To Get Help

If you experience any symptoms that indicate that you've had a seizure, you should certainly see a doctor. Such symptoms would include blackouts or periods of confused memory. You might have periods when people tell you that you are unresponsive or staring into space. You could have fast, involuntary movements of your arms or legs. You may experience what you think is a fainting spell, but have incontinence or extreme fatigue afterwards. Finally, you may experience odd sounds, sudden feelings of fear, or strange perception.

Seizures with Mono

For someone with mono, many of these symptoms might be explained away due to the mono. Since you are already fatigued, you may not notice that you are more fatigued after a fainting episode. You may find yourself spacing out or seeming unresponsive anyway. It is important to try to identify if you are feeling more strange than you did the day before, and to seek help if you think you may have had a seizure. Most doctors will say that the seizures will pass as the mono passes - but it's certainly important to get a check up and to consult with a medical professional.

At The Doctor's Office

If you go to your doctor and explain that you think you've had a seizure, they will usually order an electroencephalogram, or EEG. This will help to show if you did, indeed, have a seizure, and what type of seizure you may have had. It will look for detectable abnormalities in your brain waves. The doctor may also have you go through a brain scan to look for abnormalities in the brain. If the seizure is a result of mono, or if the seizure helps you to diagnose mono, then the doctor will discuss treatment options and monitoring with you.

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