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Encephalitis - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Encephalitis : (noun)
1: inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus;
symptoms include headache and neck pain and drowsiness
and nausea and fever (`phrenitis' is no longer in
scientific use) [syn: cephalitis, phrenitis]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Encephalitis : \En*ceph`a*li"tis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? the brain _
-itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the brain. -- En`ceph*a*lit"ic, a.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Encephalitis : Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis occurs, for example, in 1 in 1,000 cases of measles. It may start (up to 3 weeks) after onset of the measles fever , convulsions, and
coma. It usually runs a blessedly short course with full recovery within a week. Or it may eventuate in central nervous system impairment or death.
Encephalitis can cause brain damage, which may result in or exacerbate the symptoms of a developmental disorder or mental illness. The form called encephalitis lethargica ("sleeping sickness")
results in a set of Parkinson's disease-like symptoms called postencephalitic parkinsonianism. In some cases encephalitis causes death. Treatment of encephalitis must begin as early as possible to
avoid potentially serious and life-long effects. Depending on the cause of the inflammation, this may include antibiotics, anti-viral medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs. If brain damage results
from encephalitis, therapy (such as physical therapy or cognitive restoration therapy) may help patients regain lost functions.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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