Is Brain Fever Real? Doctor Explains What Happens When a Fever Affects the Brain

The term brain fever is often used for describing someone falling seriously ill with high temperature and altered mental state. However, is brain fever a medical condition? Experts say that the phrase itself is not a clinical diagnosis, but it loosely refers to a group of dangerous infections where the brain becomes inflamed due to fever-causing pathogens. 

To understand what really happens, we spoke to Dr Divya Joshi, Consultant, Infectious diseases, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, and here is what she explained to us.

What People Generally Refer To As Brain Fever Is Actually Inflammation Of The Brain

"Brain fever is a layman's term. In medicine, we are usually referring to meningitis or encephalitis, both of which involve inflammation in and around the brain," Dr Joshi. These are generally caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, or, in rare instances, parasitic infections. The inflammation interferes with the brain's normal activity and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Even though a common viral fever will not affect the brain, a serious systemic infection can rapidly get worse and develop into neurological symptoms.

How A Simple Fever Can Involve The Brain

Most fevers are the body's natural response to infections. But when the infectious agent crosses the blood, brain barrier which is the protective shield around the brain, triggers inflammation.

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Dr Joshi added, "The high temperature itself is usually not the main culprit. It's the infection and the inflammatory reaction that put pressure on the brain tissues." This pressure can cause symptoms such as:

• Severe, persistent headache
• Neck stiffness
• Confusion or irritability
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Sudden behavioral changes

Other warning signs in children include excessive sleepiness, inconsolable crying, refusing food, or bulging soft spots on the head.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Anyone can get meningitis or encephalitis, but some people are at increased risk. As Dr Joshi explained, infants, elderly adults, people with weakened immunity, and those not vaccinated against infections like measles, mumps, or Japanese encephalitis are more prone to this condition. Poor hygiene, contaminated water, and being exposed to mosquito bites which carry viruses also predisposes one to viral meningitis.

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How is Brain Fever Diagnosed?

Since the symptoms in the initial stages often show those of a regular viral fever, diagnosis involves rapid and thorough assessment. Physicians may advise:

• Blood tests
• CT or MRI scan
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) for evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid
• EEG in cases of seizures

Dr Joshi stressed, "Timely medical attention is the difference between full recovery and severe complications."

Can Brain Fever Be Prevented?

Good hygiene, safe drinking water, mosquito control, and timely vaccination remain the strongest preventive tools. Vaccines against measles, mumps, Hib, pneumococcal infection, and Japanese encephalitis considerably reduce the risk of brain inflammation.

Bottomline

Brain fever is not a term used in medical contexts, but it mainly refers to serious infections of the brain, such as meningitis and encephalitis. Experts shared that early diagnosis, timely treatment, and vaccination can help avoid complications.