encephalitis

views updated

encephalitis (en-sef-ă-ly-tis) n. inflammation of the brain. It may be caused by a viral (e.g. herpes simplex) or bacterial infection or it may be part of an allergic response to a systemic viral illness or vaccination (see encephalomyelitis). e. lethargica a form of viral encephalitis that is marked by headache and drowsiness, progressing to coma (hence its popular name – sleepy sickness). It can cause postencephalitic parkinsonism. See also Rasmussen's encephalitis.

More From encyclopedia.com