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encephalitis

encephalitis

16 8.6
A serious illness that makes the brain swell, often from a virus
  • noun
  • /ɪnˌsɛfəˈlaɪtɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : encefalitis
  • If your brother has encephalitis, there's not much I can do for him except monitor his condition and put him on a healthy regimen.
  • encephalitis virus
  • acute encephalitis
  • tick-borne encephalitis

I now have A history of serious concussions and I have what's called chronic traumatic encephalitis of the brain.

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Examples

  • I'm curious if you've come across any patients with encephalitis?

  • They all survived encephalitis.

  • She had encephalitis when she was a child.

  • Mosquito-borne encephalitis is serious business out here.

  • Last summer a record number of people got tick-borne encephalitis.

  • Janis lost her beloved horse, Satin, to encephalitis.

  • Many young people suffered from encephalitis, as the virus chewed away at their brains and spinal cords.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The doctor explained that encephalitis could lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

  • After contracting a virus, she was diagnosed with encephalitis and needed immediate medical attention.

  • Early symptoms of encephalitis include fever, headache, and confusion.

Synonyms

cephalitis
vsencephalitis
  • Specialized
9.9

A swelling and irritation of the brain usually caused by a virus

is described as more serious and acute
phrenitis
vsencephalitis
  • Archaic
9.9

A brain infection causing fever, headache and confusion

is the modern medical term stressing current seriousness rather than archaic usage

Antonyms

1.0

The condition of a person's body and mind, especially being free from illness or injury

52 3.2

Good physical and mental health that people try to keep

Compounds

herpes encephalitis
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A sudden brain infection by the herpes virus that causes swelling and serious illness

equine encephalitis
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A disease spread by mosquitoes from horses that causes swelling of the brain and can infect people

A deadly brain disease in cows that makes them unsteady and restless

Dawson's encephalitis
  • Specialized
9.9

A brain inflammation after measles that slowly gets worse in young people and usually causes death within a few years

9.9

A brain disease that caused deep sleepiness and severe muscle weakness during an epidemic in the early 1900s

8.6

An infection of the brain that makes people unable to move their eyes and feel very weak during 1915–1926 outbreaks

A sudden infection by the herpes virus that damages the front and side parts of the brain

A sudden severe swelling of the brain with bleeding into brain tissue

A brain disease that causes deep sleep, weak muscles, and trouble moving the eyes in the early 1900s

7.2

A serious brain infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 that makes the brain swell and causes seizures

9.9

A rare long-lasting brain infection from measles that mainly affects children and young adults and often kills within three years

A rare brain infection after measles that slowly damages thinking and movement

9.9

A rare long-lasting brain inflammation after measles in children and young adults that slowly gets worse and often causes death

5.2

An illness that makes the brain swell and can be deadly after West Nile virus infection

A tiny germ that causes brain inflammation in people and animals and spreads by infected mosquitoes

How Severe

encephalomyelitis
  • Specialized
1 9.9
encephalitis
  • Specialized
16 8.6

Surface Forms

encephalitis singular

Morphology

encephalitis = encephalon (transparent) = encephal + itis

The medical suffix '-itis' productively means 'inflammation of', and combined with the brain-related base yields the literal meaning 'inflammation of the brain'.

Etymology

Encephalitis comes from Greek words: encephal- meaning 'brain' or 'in the head' and -itis meaning 'inflammation', the same -itis in arthritis. So, encephalitis means 'inflammation of the brain', which is why it is a serious condition.