encephalitis
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GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/topics/encephalitis_viral/en/ (last access: 6 April 2016); http://www.emedicinehealth.com/encephalitis/article_em.htm (last access: 21 August 2014).

N: 1. encephalitis, plural encephalitides, from Greek enkephalos (“brain”) and itis (“inflammation”), inflammation of the brain. Inflammation affecting the brain may also involve adjoining structures; encephalomyelitis is inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis is inflammation of the brain and meninges (the membranes covering the brain).
2. Encephalitis is defined as inflammation of the brain. This definition means encephalitis is different from meningitis, which is defined as inflammation of the layers of tissue, or membranes, covering the brain. Unfortunately, in some people, both of the diseases may coexist and lead to a more complex diagnosis and treatment plan; in addition, both conditions share many of the same symptoms so they may be difficult to distinguish. There are many causes of encephalitis: viruses, bacteria, parasites, chemicals, and even autoimmune reactions.
3. Cultural Interrelation: Awakenings (1973) from Oliver Sacks. Bestseller and documentary from Oliver Sacks. Further adaptations: stage (A Kind of Alaska, a one-act play written in 1982 by Harold Pinter) and movie (Awakenings, directed by Penny Marshall in 1990).

S: 1. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/encephalitis (last access: 21 August 2014); DORLAND p. 612. 2. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/encephalitis/article_em.htm (last access: 21 August 2014). 3. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/21/movies/television-radio-seeing-awakenings-with-its-real-life-cast.html (last access: 21 August 2014); http://www.oliversacks.com/film-stage/stage-adaptations/ (last access: 21 August 2014); FCB.

SYN: cephalitis

S: GDT (last access: 21 August 2014)

CR: Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, Rasmussen’s encephalitis.