INFECTIOUS MYELITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Infectious Myelitis refers to a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the spinal cord, particularly caused by the invasion of infectious agents. The term "myelitis" refers to the inflammation of the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve fibers in the spinal cord. The condition is categorized as "infectious" since it is triggered by the presence and activity of various microorganisms or viruses within the central nervous system.
Infectious Myelitis typically arises as a result of the spread of infectious agents, such as viruses (e.g., poliovirus, herpes simplex virus), bacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Borrelia burgdorferi), or parasites (e.g., Toxoplasma gondii). These pathogens can invade the spinal cord either directly via the bloodstream or indirectly through adjacent infected tissues. The invasion triggers an inflammatory response within the spinal cord, leading to damage of the nerve cells, destruction of the myelin sheath, disruption of nerve impulses, and subsequent symptoms.
Affected individuals may experience a variety of symptoms depending on the location and severity of the inflammation. These may include muscle weakness or paralysis, sensory loss, pain, muscle spasms, difficulty with coordination and balance, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and in severe cases, respiratory or cardiovascular complications.
The diagnosis of Infectious Myelitis typically involves a combination of clinical assessment, medical history evaluation, neurological examinations, laboratory tests (e.g., blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid analysis), and medical imaging techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging). Treatment options primarily focus on managing the underlying infection and alleviating symptoms, often involving antiviral medications, antibiotics, analgesics, immunomodulators, and physical therapy. Additionally, supportive care is often recommended to aid
Common Misspellings for INFECTIOUS MYELITIS
- unfectious myelitis
- jnfectious myelitis
- knfectious myelitis
- onfectious myelitis
- 9nfectious myelitis
- 8nfectious myelitis
- ibfectious myelitis
- imfectious myelitis
- ijfectious myelitis
- ihfectious myelitis
- indectious myelitis
- incectious myelitis
- invectious myelitis
- ingectious myelitis
- intectious myelitis
- inrectious myelitis
- infwctious myelitis
- infsctious myelitis
- infdctious myelitis
- infrctious myelitis
Etymology of INFECTIOUS MYELITIS
The word "infectious" stems from the Latin word "infectus", which means "contaminated" or "defiled". It is derived from the verb "inficere", which means "to stain" or "to corrupt".
"Myelitis" originates from the Greek word "myelos", meaning "marrow", and the suffix "-itis", which denotes inflammation. Therefore, "myelitis" refers to the inflammation of the spinal cord or bone marrow.
When combined, "infectious myelitis" signifies inflammation of the spinal cord or bone marrow caused by an infectious agent.
