If it isn't a urine infection, then can any other type of infection cause sudden confusion?

Anything new to report?

Potassium levels will make a person depressed and have Dementia symptoms. Antibiotic may not be the one for the infection. Its kind of hit and miss without a culture.

My dad (84) was fully septic due to an untreated infection by the time he allowed himself to go to the hospital and was then there for more than a month. But during recovery after the hospital, he had several episodes when my mom would find him delirious. This was always due to either A) dehydration, or B) fever. We learned to watch him carefully and then give him fluids (in his case, diluted Sunny D, which he would drink) and aspirin. Within an hour he would be back to normal. He now knows how to recognize the signs on his own and makes sure to drink a lot of liquid each day.

For you, I hope it's something as easy as this. But don't ignore that undiagnosed infection, in the case of my dad we almost lost him because he waited to long.

Chikab, did you mention the woodwork/joinery to the doctor? Have you had a good look for cuts and splinters?

Also - I assume he had his chest listened to, yes? But in general, if you've got any questions or worries about how a medication should be working, it really is best to call the GP's office and speak to whoever prescribed the medication.

Wishing your Dad better very soon.

Toxic exposure to sawdust and paint can cause confusion.  Irritation in the lungs can cause infection.
As well as an 86 y.o. overdoing it and not having the cognitive ability to stop work so as not to overdo. imo.

Thank you for the information cdnreader. My Dad at 86 has always been so astute, articulate and so switched on. Three weeks ago he bought several pieces of wood, measured, cut, fitted and painted 6 shelves and then now suddenly he has become so very confused over these last two weeks. so my Dad was a very active man until and very suddenly this awful confusion!

Dear chikab,

I hope your Dad feels better soon. I found this information online. My other main concern is medications. Could your Dad have taken too much of something? Here is the link I found:



Some of the most common causes of sudden confusion include:

•an infection – urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause in elderly people or people with dementia.
•a stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke")
•a low blood sugar level in people with diabetes – read about treating low blood sugar.
•a head injury.

More items...




Sudden confusion (delirium) - NHS.UK



www.nhs.uk/conditions/confusion/

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, I really do appreciate it. Do antibiotics start to take effect whilst you are taking them or when the course is complete?

No I really don't think my Dad has had a fall. I'm pretty certain if this were the case then he would have mentioned something to my Mum. My Dad is so honest.

He has some kind of infection. He is confused. Seems most likely those two items are related. Let us know how things change as the antibiotic is completed. I sure hope that fixes things!

I agree with FF. Dementia doesn’t happen all of the sudden like that. However, as FrequentFlyer says, concussions and dehydration can. So can mini-strokes. If Dad isn’t showing improvement by early week, I’d definitely touch base with hisndocfor.

Chikab, with antibiotics it usually takes more than 3 days for it to show improvement. Give the pills some more time.

By chance, did Dad fall and didn't tell you? Falls where one hits their head can cause brain bleeds which can result in confusion. That happened with my Mom. Eventually it cleared up, until another head hitting fall happened.

Many elders don't want to us that they had fallen as they don't want to appear "old". I know much later my Dad finally told me that my Mom had fallen quite a bit. Oh great, now they tell me.... [sigh].

Dehydration can also cause this confusion.