ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine epilepsy sufferers' attitudes to and knowledge of their condition, the effect of epilepsy on their lives and their views on the management they had received, and to compare knowledge and attitudes with those of a control group of non-sufferers. A questionnaire was completed by 29 patients with epilepsy and 32 control group subjects from two general practices. It was found that people with epilepsy knew little more than those without epilepsy regarding the nature of the condition, its aetiology and seizure precipitants. Those with epilepsy were concerned about the seizures and the effect these had on various aspects of their lives, and were concerned about long-term side effects of anti-epileptic medication. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to educational achievement, employment record and social activities. The findings are discussed and suggestions put forward for improving the care offered to epilepsy sufferers by both general practitioners and hospital clinics.
Subject(s)
Epilepsy/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adult , Epilepsy/rehabilitation , Family Practice , Female , Humans , Life Style , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Education as TopicABSTRACT
The cross-reaction of HHV6 antibody with that to the other herpesviruses was studied in 96 blood donors whose sera were tested for IgG antibody to human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV6), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zostervirus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). No correlation was found between IgG antibody to HHV6 and that to any of the other herpesviruses in these individuals. Antibodies to HHV6 and CMV were measured in patients undergoing documented serological responses to HHV6. Eleven cases of primary HHV6 infection associated with roseola infantum in babies, 1 of whom suffered from gastroenteritis as well as pyrexia and rash, are reported. Three cases of HHV6 reactivation, 1 in a 3-year-old child and 2 in adults, 1 of whom simultaneously underwent a primary CMV infection are also reported. Our results suggest that indirect immunofluorescence is a specific way of measuring HHV6 antibody, that HHV6 IgG and IgM can be detected in the absence of antibody to CMV and that HHV6 IgM is present both in primary HHV6 infections and in reactivations.
