| Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary 1,733,862,058 visitors served. |
|
Dictionary/ thesaurus | Medical dictionary | Legal dictionary | Financial dictionary | Acronyms | Idioms | Encyclopedia | Wikipedia encyclopedia | ? |
encephalitis |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.02 sec. |
|
encephalitis (ĕnsĕf'əlī`təs), general term used to describe a diffuse inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, usually of viral origin, often transmitted by mosquitoes, in contrast to a bacterial infection of the meninges (membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord), known as meningitis meningitis (mĕnĭnjī`tĭs) or cerebrospinal meningitis ..... Click the link for more information. . Diagnostic symptoms include capillary congestion, small hemorrhages into perivascular spaces, accumulation of plasma cells and lymphocytes, and increased pressure and protein content of cerebrospinal fluid. Among the several forms of viral brain inflammation are rabies, polio, and two types transmitted by the mosquito: equine encephalitis equine encephalitis (ē`kwīn ĕnsĕf'əlī`tĭs) encephalitisInflammation of the brain, most often due to infection, usually with a virus. One class of encephalitis (including multiple sclerosis) attacks the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibres rather than the neurons themselves. In most cases, symptoms include fever, headache, lethargy, and coma. Convulsions are most common in infants. Characteristic neurological signs include uncoordinated, involuntary movements and localized weakness. The symptoms and a lumbar puncture (to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for analysis) may establish the presence but not the cause. Treatment usually aims to relieve the symptoms and ensure quiet rest. Various symptoms may remain after recovery. encephalitis inflammation of the brain encephalitis [en‚sef·ə′līd·əs] (medicine) Inflammation of the brain. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|
| ? Mentioned in | ? References in periodicals archive | |
|---|---|---|
Infectious and postinfectious encephalitis were defined as the presence of encephalopathy or focal neurologic abnormalities, an abnormal CSF profile but negative CSF microbiologic studies, and a history or serologic result consistent with a current or preceding acute infectious illness. Acute postinfectious encephalitis, usually appearing 5-14 days after the rash, is thought to be a virus-induced autoimmune disease. |
| Encyclopedia |
| Free Tools: |
For surfers:
Free toolbar & extensions |
Word of the Day |
Help
For webmasters: Free content | Linking | Lookup box | Double-click lookup | Partner with us |
|---|