47-year-old Palghar woman suffers memory loss, brain fog after Covid

MUMBAI: When 47-year-old Palghar resident Shaista Pathan complained of pain in her abdomen and head, doctors had no way of knowing she had a rare manifestation of Covid-19 involving the brain.
Covid-19's neurological complications, which include stroke, are now getting attention. In the US, news reports said patients complained of forgetfulness or brain fog post the infection.
Two months after Pathan was rushed to Wockhardt Hospital at Mira Road in the middle of the night in an agitated and aggressive state, she still has moments of "difficulties".
"My sons tell me not to think hard as I get a headache and a bit of confusion," she said. Neurologist Dr Pavan Pai who treated her told TOI Pathan still shows signs of brain fog. "She cannot remember eight days of the infection, but is otherwise healthy," he said.
On August 14, Pathan was rushed to the Mira Road hospital within 24 hours of the appearance of abdominal pain and headache. It was another 48 hours before a diagnosis was possible: Viral encephalitis due to Covid-19. Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain due to a virus that could even cause permanent brain damage.
"When Pathan arrived, even four or five nurses couldn't calm her down or draw blood," said neurologist Pavan Pai who treated her. She was delirious, confused, drifting in and out of consciousness and agitated. As her husband had tested positive for Covid a few days back, an antigen test was done but it tested negative for the virus.
Even CT and MRI scans revealed no bleeding or any complications. "However, the next morning, we noticed neck stiffness that suggested an infection in the central nervous system. We hence started her on medicines to control suspected encephalitis," said Dr Pai.
All this while, Pathan's agitated behaviour continued. It was only after she calmed down a couple of days later that the doctor could draw a sample of her cerebrospinal fluid that confirmed their analysis. On August 19, she was confirmed to have viral encephalitis. In the meantime, a PCR test showed she was Covid-19 positive.
Pathan said she is lucky to get medicines in time. "Our family friend's brother in Chembur had similar symptoms around the same time as me, but he continues to be in a coma,'' she said.
Dr Sangeeta Ravat from KEM Hospital, Parel, said viral encephalitis is a rare manifestation of Covid.
"We have had one case at KEM Hospital that we confirmed by doing a PCR test on the cerebrospinal fluid,'' she said, adding that stroke is the most common Covid neurological complication.