Recognize the Causes of Brain Infection, Risk Factors and Types

Our central nervous system is actually very strong in resisting the attack of pathogenic germs that cause brain infections. However, this area can also be very vulnerable when germs finally manage to penetrate their defense mechanisms and infection begins. The central nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve which control the thought processes, movements, and sensations throughout the body. Your central nervous system is protected by the skull, spine, meninges (membranes of the brain), and filtering the blood brain barrier (blood brain barrier) in charge of blocking certain substances from being carried into the brain tissue or spine, causing brain infections. However, the central nervous system actually does not have enough antibodies to fight germs and prevent brain infections, compared to other areas of your body. This is why once pathogenic germs (disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi) manage to penetrate the defense mechanism of the central nervous system, the disease can quickly develop. Among the pathogenic germs that cause brain infections, the most common germs found are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). Not only that, some diseases that have been previously owned and the declining condition of the body are also risk factors for germ infections that get worse. For example due to respiratory infections or severe infections in other body organs, the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages, weakening of the immune system, a history of head injury or surgery to the brain, and brain cancer.

Three main types of brain infections

Pathogenic germ infections in the central nervous system can involve various parts in it, so that it will produce different physical symptoms and disease course. The following are the three main types of brain infections based on the location of germ infection and inflammation.
Meningitis - Inflammation or swelling that occurs in meninges, the three protective layers that surround the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds both of them.
This condition can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Meningitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection that causes tuberculosis. Headaches, changes in mental status such as confusion to decreased consciousness, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, fever and neck stiffness are some of the symptoms commonly found in cases of meningitis. In meningitis due to viral infection can occur early symptoms such as muscle aches, weakness, and weight loss before the main symptoms appear. Symptoms of meningitis in infants can be in the form of protrusion of the fontanel (soft part of the head) if not dehydrated, the baby is weak, lacking or not drinking, fussing, and fever. This condition must be treated immediately both in adults and children because it can cause disability and death.
Encephalitis - Inflammation that occurs in the brain tissue itself due to a viral infection and although rare, bacteria and fungi.
Viral infections that cause encephalitis are often caused by infections with herpes simplex virus, varicella or chicken pox, Epstein-Barr virus, and measles. Besides that, although relatively rare, this disease can also be caused by mosquito bites, namely in Japanese encephalitis, tick bites can cause tick-borne encephalitis, and rabies in wild animal bites.
Meanwhile, myelitis is a term for a similar inflammation that occurs in the spinal cord for example in polio. Encephalitis is usually experienced together with meningitis and is known as meningoencephalitis. This disease often occurs in infants and parents or in a weakened immune system. Symptoms can mimic symptoms of inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis), but in encephalitis can be accompanied by seizures, weakness of the limbs, and difficulty speaking.
Brain abscess - Infection that occurs due to accumulation of infections caused by microorganisms or other sources. Abscesses can occur in any area that is still in the central nervous system. Abscesses that occur in the brain are usually treated by administering antibiotics to kill bacteria and draining or suctioning the fluid through an surgical procedure.
To determine the diagnosis and cause of a brain infection, the doctor will usually perform a complete blood count, cerebrospinal fluid, culture of a sample of cerebrospinal fluid to determine the bacteria, fungus, or virus that causes the infection and brain scan (MRI or CT-scan of the head), and EEG. Serological examination of the Toxoplasma parasite is also important. Brain infections, such as meningitis caused by bacteria, generally attack infants and young children. Other groups who are also at risk are people with weak immune systems such as long-term corticosteroid drug users, undergoing chemotherapy, people with HIV / AIDS, elderly people over 60 years old, and drug abusers. People with sinus infections (sinusitis) or middle ear infections as well as severe infections such as pneumonia or lung abscess, a history of head trauma, and brain surgery are at risk of causing brain abscesses or other brain infections. Treatment of brain infections aims to eradicate the cause, improve general conditions, and prevent complications. If there are symptoms of a brain infection, then you need to get treatment immediately. Brain infection is a serious condition that can cause disability and not infrequently, death. Patients with brain infections need to be hospitalized in order to get intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, injection antibiotics to eradicate the germs that cause infection, antivirals for cases of brain infections due to viruses, and good oxygenation. In severe cases where sufferers of brain infections have decreased consciousness and seizures can be considered intubation to maintain the airway, as well as close monitoring and evaluation. Complications that can occur in brain infections include paralysis, seizures or epilepsy, memory loss, changes in personality or mental status, and death. To prevent brain infections and this dangerous central nervous system, there are several vaccines such as Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, meningococcal, pneumococcal or PCV, and Japanese encephalitis. Immunization with these vaccines aims to form the body's immunity against pathogens or viruses that can attack the brain and other central nervous system. In children the vaccination can be given according to the immunization schedule. In adults who have never received a vaccine before or suffer from certain conditions, you can consult a doctor to get better information about the need for immunization in adults. See your doctor immediately if you or other people around you feel the symptoms mentioned above to get medical treatment as soon as possible. The slower the handling, the higher the risk of complications. However, in some cases of severe brain infections, death or permanent disability can occur 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.