Glossary

Here are definitions of medical terms related to encephalitis.

Arbovirus: A type of virus that lives in insects like mosquitoes and is passed onto humans through insect bites.

Biopsy: A procedure in which a piece of tissue is taken from the body to study under a microscope.

Cerebral spinal fluid: The fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Electroencephalogram (EEG): A test that records electrical events in the brain.

Enterovirus: A type of virus that lives in the gut and is usually passed through feces.

Lumbar puncture: A procedure in which a very fine needle is inserted into the lower back to remove a small amount of cerebral spinal fluid for testing.