CEREBROSPINAL FEVER Meaning and
Definition
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Cerebrospinal fever, also known as meningococcal meningitis, is a serious infectious disease primarily affecting the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The condition is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, commonly referred to as meningococcus.
The hallmark symptoms of cerebrospinal fever include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and an altered mental state. Other associated symptoms may include vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and a rash consisting of small red or purple spots. If left untreated, the disease progresses rapidly and can lead to complications such as seizures, coma, and even death.
The bacteria causing cerebrospinal fever is highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets. Close contact with an infected individual, such as living in crowded conditions, attending schools or college dormitories, or being in military barracks, increases the risk of transmission.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antibiotics are crucial in managing this condition. Methods such as lumbar puncture (spinal tap) are often used to collect and analyze cerebrospinal fluid for the presence of bacteria. Vaccinations are available to prevent certain strains of meningococcal meningitis, particularly for individuals at higher risk, such as young children, college students, and certain travelers.
Public health measures, such as educating the public about hygiene practices (e.g., covering mouth while coughing or sneezing) and encouraging vaccination, play a vital role in the prevention and control of cerebrospinal fever outbreaks.
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• Spotted fever, epidemic c. meningitis; an acute infectious disease, caused by the meningococcus, Diplococcus intracellularis meningitidis, and marked by fever and inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, giving rise to severe nervous symptoms of the most varied character; pneumonia, pleurisy, and arthritis are frequent complications, and deafness, blindness, and various paralyses may occur as sequels in case of recovery without specific treatment.
• See under cerebrospinal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CEREBROSPINAL FEVER
- xerebrospinal fever
- verebrospinal fever
- ferebrospinal fever
- derebrospinal fever
- cwrebrospinal fever
- csrebrospinal fever
- cdrebrospinal fever
- crrebrospinal fever
- c4rebrospinal fever
- c3rebrospinal fever
- ceeebrospinal fever
- cedebrospinal fever
- cefebrospinal fever
- cetebrospinal fever
- ce5ebrospinal fever
- ce4ebrospinal fever
- cerwbrospinal fever
- cersbrospinal fever
- cerdbrospinal fever
Etymology of CEREBROSPINAL FEVER
The word "cerebrospinal fever" is a term used to describe an infection of the central nervous system, characterized by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The term itself is derived from its anatomical and symptomatic features.
"Cerebro-" is derived from the Latin word "cerebrum", meaning "brain". It refers to the affected region of the central nervous system, specifically the brain.
The term "spinal" originates from the Latin word "spina", meaning "thorn" or "spine". It refers to the inflammation that occurs in the spinal cord, which is an integral part of the central nervous system.
The word "fever" is derived from the Old English word "fefer", which evolved from the Latin word "febris". It refers to an elevated body temperature, often accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, and general malaise.
Similar spelling words for CEREBROSPINAL FEVER
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