Brain abscess
Overview
A brain abscess is a pus-filled swelling in the brain. It usually occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the brain tissue after an infection or severe head injury.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a brain abscess may develop quickly or slowly but can include: headache– which is often severe, located in a single section of the head and cannot be relieved with painkillerschanges in mental state – such as confusion or irritabilityproblems with nerve function – such as muscle weakness, slurred speech orparalysison one side of the bodya high temperatureseizures (fits)feeling sickbeing sickstiff neckchanges in vision – such as blurring, greying of vision ordouble vision(due to the abscess putting pressure on the optic nerve)
Causes
There are 3 main ways a brain abscess can develop. These are: an infection in another part of the skull – such as anear infection,sinusitisordental abscess, which can spread directly into the brainan infection in another part of the body – for example, the infection that causespneumoniaspreading into the brain via the bloodtrauma, such as ahead injury– that cracks open the skull, allowing bacteria or fungi to enter the brain However, in some cases, the source of the infection remains unknown. Read more about thecauses of a brain abscess.
When to see a doctor
Any symptoms that suggest a problem with the brain and nervous system should be treated as a medical emergency. These include: slurred speechmuscle weakness or paralysisseizures occurring in a person with no previous history of seizures If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. Any symptoms that suggest a worsening infection, such as a high temperature or being sick, should be reported to your GP immediately. If your GP is not available, contact your localout-of-hours serviceor callNHS 111.