What is the most common symptom of a brain abscess?

The most common symptom of a brain abscess is headaches. Headaches associated with a brain abscess typically result from the increasing intracranial pressure caused by the accumulation of pus and inflammatory cells. Additionally, as the abscess grows, it can irritate the surrounding brain tissue and lead to localized pain.

While other symptoms such as seizures, confusion, and fever can be associated with a brain abscess, they tend to arise as the condition progresses or as a result of the abscess's effect on the brain and associated structures. Fever may be present due to the infection, but headaches often present as an early and predominant symptom, making them a critical symptom to recognize in clinical evaluations.