Definition

Noun: - An acute, infectious form of meningitis: Cerebrospinal fever is a serious medical condition characterized by inflammation of the meninges (the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). It is specifically caused by bacterial infection, most notably by Neisseria meningitidis, and is often fatal if not treated promptly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The outbreak of cerebrospinal fever in the community prompted a mass vaccination campaign.
  • Before the advent of antibiotics, cerebrospinal fever had a very high mortality rate.
  • Symptoms of cerebrospinal fever include severe headache, stiff neck, and high fever.

Advanced Usage

• "epidemic cerebrospinal fever": This term is used to describe widespread, community-level outbreaks of the disease.
  • Historical records describe periods of epidemic cerebrospinal fever sweeping through crowded cities.

Variants and Related Words

• Meningococcal meningitis: This is the more precise clinical term for cerebrospinal fever caused by the bacterium.
  • Meningococcal meningitis is a medical emergency.
• Spotted fever: An archaic, non-specific term sometimes historically used for illnesses with rash and fever, which could include cerebrospinal fever, but is not a direct synonym.

Synonyms

• Epidemic meningitis: Highlights the contagious, outbreak-prone nature of the disease.
• Meningococcal disease: A broader term that includes both meningitis and bloodstream infections (septicemia) caused by the meningococcus bacterium.

Noun

1. meningitis caused by bacteria and often fatal