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Prion Diseases

Overview

Prion diseases occur when proteins normally in the body misfold and cause illness. The misfolding leads to brain damage and other symptoms. Symptoms may take years to develop. But once they do, the disease rapidly progresses and leads to death.

Some of the reasons people may get sick with prion diseases is eating or handling meat contaminated with prions. People may also become infected if they get prions in their bodies. This may occur through organ transplant or being exposed to contaminated equipment during surgery. Source: CDC

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Prion Diseases 
• Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings — 2003, page 36

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

• Prion Diseases 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Information Page

Fact Sheets & Information

MedlinePlus

• Prion Disease 

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