encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌse-fə-ˈlī-təs 
plural encephalitides
in-ˌse-fə-ˈli-tə-ˌdēz
: inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction
Note: Encephalitis may be asymptomatic or present with mild to severe symptoms (such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness) sometimes progressing to coma or death.
Examples of encephalitis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2021 and 2022, the test was able to link cases of encephalitis among transplant recipients to yellow fever in their organ donor.
—
Aria Bendix, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Therefore, the survival rate of encephalitis is about 90%.6
Can COVID cause encephalitis?
—Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 26 Sep. 2024
Severe Symptoms: Less than 1% of those infected develop severe neurological illnesses like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Sep. 2024
Some people may develop symptoms of severe illness affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for encephalitis 
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Aria Bendix, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Therefore, the survival rate of encephalitis is about 90%.6
Can COVID cause encephalitis?
—Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 26 Sep. 2024
Severe Symptoms: Less than 1% of those infected develop severe neurological illnesses like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Sep. 2024
Some people may develop symptoms of severe illness affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for encephalitis
Dictionary Entries Near encephalitis
Cite this Entry
“Encephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encephalitis. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs
(ˌ)en-
: inflammation of the brain
also
: a disease marked by encephalitis
Medical Definition
encephalitis
noun
en·ceph·a·li·tis
in-ˌsef-ə-ˈlīt-əs
plural encephalitides
-ˈlit-ə-ˌdēz
: inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster, or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction
Note: Encephalitis may be asymptomatic or present with mild to severe symptoms (such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness) sometimes progressing to coma or death.
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