What is the term used to describe the inflammation of the brain?

The term used to describe inflammation of the brain is encephalitis. The word combines the Greek enkephalos, meaning “brain,” with the medical suffix -itis, meaning inflammation.

Encephalitis can result from an infection, especially a viral infection, or from autoimmune encephalitis, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks brain tissue. Herpes simplex virus is a notable cause of severe infectious encephalitis, while mosquito- and tick-borne viruses can also affect the brain.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, confusion, personality changes, seizures, speech problems, or difficulty moving. Severe cases can cause brain injury or death, so rapid medical evaluation is important. A common mix-up is meningitis: meningitis affects the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord, whereas encephalitis affects brain tissue itself. When both occur together, the condition is called meningoencephalitis.