What are brain infections?

Also known as: inflammatory brain disease, spinal inflammatory disorders, abscess, meningitis, encephalitis.

The brain and its coverings (meninges) can become infected by a wide variety of infections which include bacteria, viruses and uncommonly parasites and fungi. Depending on the part of the brain involved, different names are given to the diseases.

• Meningitis is the inflammation of the brain’s surrounding tissues (meninges).
• Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain itself.
• Brain abscess is the localized collection of inflammation cells and fluids.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM