CJD is the short form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. As Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease progresses to its logical and fatal conclusion, other symptoms will manifest themselves. The typical length of time from infection to death is approximately 7 to 12 months. The Cleveland Clinic reports that approximately 90 percent of those diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease will die within a year. The degenerative disorder of the brain causes people to fall into dementia rapidly. The final result, according to the Cleveland Clinic, always is death.
Mental
Early symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are similar to depression. These may include lapses in memory, changes of personality, concentration difficulties, withdrawing from social situations and a decreased interest in things people once took interest in. Because these symptoms also occur in people who suffer major depression, it is possible for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to be misdiagnosed, especially since it so rarely occurs in people.
Physical
Physical symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may take place at the same time as the initial mental depression-like symptoms, or they may begin earlier. Symptoms may manifest as clumsiness, poor coordination and walking difficulties. People may also find they have difficulties with normal speech. Another potential physical symptom is spasms in the muscles.
Advanced Symptoms
Later symptoms of CJD include a memory loss that is profound, similar to advanced Alzheimer's disease; incontinence; sensory hallucinations that may affect visual, auditory or sensory systems; blindness or vision blurring; being unable to speak; being unable to swallow; a coma and fatal complications such as an infection, failure of the respiratory system or heart failure.
