fulminans

Fulminans is a term derived from the Latin present participle fulminans, meaning “striking with lightning.” In English medical usage, the more common descriptor is fulminant; fulminans is a form that may appear in older texts or in taxonomic or nomenclatural contexts, where it serves as an adjective meaning rapidly eruptive or explosive. In medical contexts, the equivalent concept is a fulminant disease or presentation: one that has an abrupt onset and rapid, often severe progression.

In practice, fulminant conditions are characterized by swift deterioration, high risk of organ failure, and a short time frame from onset to critical illness. The term is most frequently applied to hepatic, neurologic, infectious, and cardiac processes. Examples include fulminant hepatitis, fulminant meningitis, and fulminant sepsis, all of which demand urgent evaluation and intensive care.

Diagnosis hinges on clinical trajectory—an unusually rapid decline in function within hours to days—supported by laboratory and imaging findings that reflect acute organ dysfunction. Management focuses on rapid stabilization, treatment of the underlying cause, and prevention of irreversible organ damage. In hepatic failures, for instance, evaluation for liver transplantation may be considered; in infectious etiologies, aggressive antimicrobial therapy and source control are essential; supportive care in an intensive setting is common across fulminant presentations.

Prognosis varies with the underlying disease, patient comorbidities, and speed of intervention. Early recognition and aggressive management are key factors associated with improved outcomes. See also fulminant disease, fulminant hepatitis, and fulminant sepsis.