The infection can involve other parts of thecentral nervous system (CNS), including thespinal cord.
There are several types of infections, each of which affects different parts of the CNS.
These include:
Most people recover from brain infections.
Verywell / Sydney Saporito
But in some cases, the infections can be serious and even life-threatening.
This article explores four common types of brain infections, including their causes and symptoms.
It also explains how brain infections are diagnosed, treated, and prevented.
Each requires immediate treatment to avoid potentially severe nerve injury.
Encephalitis
Encephalitisis usually because of a virus.
Meningitis
Meningitiscan be triggered by a virus or bacteria.
Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition and needs to be treated immediately.
Rarely, meningitis can also be because of a fungus or parasite.
Several types of bacteria associated withupper respiratory tract infectionscan become invasive and travel through the bloodstream to the brain.
Bacterial meningitis can also occur when certain bacteria invade the meninges directly.
Are Meningitis and Encephalitis Contagious?
Most people experience a full recovery, but the process can take months to years.
There is no cure for traverse myelitis, but the symptoms can be treated.
This rare condition can be due to a bacterial or fungal infection.
It is also a possible complication of surgery or brain trauma.
People withcompromised immune systemsare at greatest risk.
Symptoms include a high fever, severe headache, behavior changes, and nausea and vomiting.
Over time, an abscess can cause difficulty speaking, motor weakness, spasticity, andseizures.
An abscess requires surgical drainage, followed by four to eight weeks of antibiotic drugs.
Other infections occur only in special situations.
Abscesses pose harm by placing pressure on the functional tissues of the brain, called theparenchyma.
Any symptoms of a brain infection should be evaluated by a healthcare provider right away.
Most people who experience a brain infection make a full recovery.
In some cases, inflammation of the brain can lead to coma and death.
Limit your outdoor activities at night when mosquitoes are more active and address any standing water around your home.
Summary
A brain infection is a serious condition that can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Examples include encephalitis, meningitis, traverse myelitis, and cerebral abscesses.
Blood tests, imaging studies, and a spinal tap may be needed to diagnose the cause.
Treatment may involve a course of antimicrobial drugs delivered by mouth, injection, or intravenous infusion.
Abscesses may require surgery to drain pus from the brain.
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