What are common symptoms of a brain abscess?

• A. Fever and severe headache
• B. Blurred vision and hearing loss
• C. Nausea and diarrhea
• D. Skin rash and joint pain

Answer: (A)

A brain abscess is an infection within the brain that leads to the formation of a localized collection of pus. Common symptoms associated with a brain abscess typically include fever and severe headache, which occur due to the inflammatory response elicited by the infection. The fever arises as the body responds to the infection, while the severe headache can be attributed to increased intracranial pressure as the abscess grows.

Severe headaches are often localized but can also be generalized. As the abscess progresses, additional neurological deficits may appear, but the initial presentation often prominently features fever and headache, making these symptoms critical for diagnosis and clinical assessment.

Other symptoms such as blurred vision, hearing loss, nausea, and others may develop due to increased intracranial pressure or specific brain region involvement, but they are not as classic or common as fever and severe headache.