Eventually they will need full nursing care. People affected by CJD usually die within six months of early symptoms, often from pneumonia. In a minority of patients the disease may take two years to run its course. Very rarely the disease can last for many years. There is no evidence that someone with CJD is in pain, provided they are well nursed and comfortable.
Drugs can alleviate symptoms such as shakiness.
Sporadic CJD is marked by rapid onset of dementia. The course of the disease is usually measured in months. Those affected appear to be genetically predisposed to produce the abnormal form of prion proteins. People usually develop familial CJD at an earlier age than the sporadic form and the course of the illness is usually longer. This form of CJD arises from contamination with tissue from an infected person, usually as a result of a medical procedure such as corneal transplants, grafts or the use of growth hormone.