Infection brain is a condition when the brain or surrounding tissue becomes infected with a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite. Disorders that arise due to brain infection depend on the part of the brain affected by the infection. However, most cases of brain infection can lead to dangerous complications if not treated immediately.
Brain infections can cause various disorders for sufferers. The reason is, the brain is one of the most complex organs and plays an important role in controlling many body functions, ranging from movement, regulating reflexes and body coordination, thinking, concentrating, to determining attitudes and behavior.
Some Types of Brain Infections
Brain infections can affect various other organs, resulting in different symptoms. The following are some types of brain infections based on the location of the infection and the cause:
1. Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This condition is generally caused by a viral infection, but sometimes it can also be caused by bacteria and fungi.
Severe headache, high fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, convulsions, and confusion that makes it difficult to concentrate are common symptoms of meningitis.
While the symptoms of meningitis in infants can be a protrusion of the fontanel (the soft part of the head), weakness, lack of eating or breastfeeding, excessive sleep, and fussiness.
Meningitis is an infectious disease of the brain that must be treated immediately, both in adults and children, because it can cause disability and death.
2. Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by a viral infection. Some of the viruses that most commonly cause this condition are herpes simplex virus, varicella or chickenpox, Epstein-Barr virus, and measles.
However, encephalitis can also be caused by bacterial and fungal infections. However, encephalitis due to bacteria and fungi is less common. Encephalitis usually occurs with meningitis. This condition is known as meningoencephalitis.
If you have a high fever and headache, then hours or days later you have difficulty speaking, are disoriented, have difficulty moving, and have seizures, see a doctor immediately, as these symptoms may be due to encephalitis.
3. Brain abscess
Brain abscesses can occur in any part of the brain. Generally, this condition is caused by a bacterial infection that results in the accumulation of pus and swelling in the brain.
Symptoms of a brain abscess can appear slowly or suddenly. This condition can be recognized by decreased ability to speak and move the body, visual disturbances, slow in responding or thinking, nausea and vomiting, difficulty focusing, and easily drowsy.
A brain abscess needs to be treated by a doctor immediately. Otherwise, this condition can lead to serious complications such as permanent brain damage or disability and death.
4. Toxoplasmosis
This disease is caused by a parasitic infection Toxoplasma gondii which attacks certain organs of the body, including the brain.
Some people who get toxoplasmosis have no symptoms. However, brain infection due to toxoplasmosis can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, seizures, decreased consciousness, or impaired body coordination.
This disease is prone to occur in people who often come into contact with cat litter or have weak immune systems, for example due to chemotherapy treatment, taking immunosuppressant drugs, and HIV infection.
5. Cerebral malaria
It is a brain infection caused by malaria. This disease usually occurs as a complication of untreated malaria.
Patients with this brain infection will usually feel several symptoms in the form of fever, chills, seizures, nausea and vomiting, difficulty speaking, hearing or vision problems, severe headaches, behavioral changes, and decreased consciousness or coma.
Whatever the cause and type, brain infection is a dangerous disease that needs to be checked and treated by a doctor immediately. If left untreated, brain infections are at high risk of causing disability or even death.
What Puts You at Risk for Brain Infections?
There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing a brain infection, including:
- Have a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy side effects, diabetes, alcoholism or drug abuse
- There is an infection in the teeth and sinus cavities
- Haven't received vaccinations yet
- Having a head injury
- Over 60 years old
If you feel symptoms of a brain infection, especially if you have the risk factors above, immediately consult a doctor.
To diagnose and find out the cause of brain infection, the doctor will perform a physical examination and support in the form of a complete blood count and cerebrospinal fluid examination to determine the bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses that cause infection.
In addition, the doctor will also carry out supporting examinations on the brain, such as MRI, CT scan, and EEG to check the condition of the brain and determine which part of the brain is infected.
After determining the diagnosis of brain infection and its cause, the doctor will provide appropriate treatment to eradicate the cause of the infection and prevent complications. Usually, people with brain infections need to be hospitalized and get intensive treatment.