Febrile psychosis is a medical condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorientation caused by a high fever. The word "febrile" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈfiːbraɪl/. The first syllable "feeb" is pronounced with a long "ee" sound, followed by the "r" sound and the "ihl" sound at the end. The word "psychosis" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /saɪˈkoʊsɪs/. The first syllable "sai" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, followed by the "koh" sound, "suh" sound and "ihss" sound at the end.
Febrile psychosis is a medical term that refers to a condition characterized by the onset of psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion, which occur as a result of an elevated body temperature (fever). This condition usually occurs during a severe fever episode and is often associated with infectious diseases, such as systemic infections like pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections, as well as localized infections like encephalitis or meningitis.
The exact mechanism behind the development of febrile psychosis is not fully understood, but it is thought to result from the direct effects of the fever on the brain or as an immune response to the underlying infection. The symptoms of febrile psychosis can vary widely and may include agitation, disorientation, restlessness, incoherent speech, emotional instability, or violent behaviors. In severe cases, individuals may experience a loss of contact with reality and exhibit bizarre or paranoid behavior.
Diagnosis of febrile psychosis typically involves a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to identify the underlying cause of the fever. Treatment usually focuses on addressing the infection and managing the symptoms of psychosis through the use of antipsychotic medications. As the fever subsides and the underlying condition is resolved, the psychotic symptoms tend to improve, and full recovery is common.
Overall, febrile psychosis is a condition in which the presence of a high fever triggers the occurrence of psychotic symptoms, necessitating prompt medical attention and appropriate treatment to ensure a favorable outcome.
Infection-exhaustion p.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "febrile psychosis" is a medical term that combines two words, "febrile" and "psychosis".
The word "febrile" derives from the Latin word "febrīlis", which means "related to fever". "Febrīlis" itself comes from the Latin word "febris", meaning "fever".
The word "psychosis" originates from the Greek word "psȳchē", which means "mind" or "soul". In medical terminology, "psychosis" refers to a severe mental disorder characterized by a loss of contact with reality.
Therefore, the term "febrile psychosis" signifies a condition characterized by psychotic symptoms that develop in response to a fever.