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DefinitionofEncephalitis

Source:http://www.medicinenet.com/medtermsmedicaldictionary/article.htm
MedTermsistheMedicalDictionaryofMedicineNet.com

DefinitionofEncephalitis
Encephalitis:Inflammationofthebrain,whichmaybecausedbyabacterium,avirus,or
anallergicreaction.Someformsofviralencephalitisarecontagious.Encephalitisusually
runsashortcourse,withfullrecoverywithinaweek,butcancausebraindamageand
death.Treatmentofencephalitismustbeginasearlyaspossibletoavoidpotentiallyserious
andlifelongeffects.Dependingonthecauseoftheinflammation,treatmentmayinclude
useofantibiotics,antiviralmedications,andantiinflammatorydrugs.Ifbraindamage
resultsfromencephalitis,therapy(suchasphysicaltherapyorcognitiverestoration
therapy)mayhelppatientsregainlostfunctions.
LastEditorialReview:5/13/2016

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