Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: diagnosis and nursing care issues.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, progressive brain disease that affects both men and women. It causes a relentless deterioration in the ability to function physically, mentally and emotionally. Many nurses will never have cared for patients with the disease and there are many misconceptions regarding its cause, progress and the implications for care. Blaire Smith-Bathgate examines these issues.