help on cruetzfelft jacobs disease (sp?)

[William T. Honeycutt]

CReutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
(Subacute Spongiform Encephalopathy)

"A progressive, inevitably fatal, slow virus disease of the CNS, 
charcterized by progressive dementia and myocolinic seizures and affecting 
adults in mid-life"  (The Merck Manual, Sixteeth edition, copyright 1992, 
pg. 209.

"little is known about its (the viruses mode) of transmission."

The Merck Manual further recommends standard Universal Precautions when 
dealing with people with Creutzfeldt-jakob's, and recommends Steam 
Autoclaving of instruments used with patient's with Creutzfeldt-Jakob's.  
It also warns that formalin does not appear to be a effective means of 
steriliztion.

If memory serves me correctly, the only noted "possibly" transmission of 
Creutzfeldt-Jakob is via direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such 
as blood, or cerebral spinal fluid, or infected bodily tissues such as 
brain dura matter.  However, I also remember that eating sheep eyes as is 
a custom in some Arabic countries is also a high risk "behavior" for the 
transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakobs. I unfortunately do not recall if 
sexual contact is included in possible modes of transmission, but would 
recommend the use of a condom, as part of the general Universal 
Precautions.   

Unfortunately, like so many viruses, little is know about this one. 

sincerely, 
William T. Honeycutt, RN.