Headache Attributed to Infection: A Clinical and Pathophysiological Overview

This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on infection-related headaches, with focus on classification, clinical presentation, and underlying pathophysiology. As infections increasingly present with neurological symptoms, recognizing headache as a potential red flag remains essential. Headaches attributed to infection range from typical forms such as bacterial meningitis to more subtle parasitic, fungal, or postinfectious entities. The ICHD-3 provides structured diagnostic subtypes, including acute, chronic, and persistent forms. Emerging data on CSF biomarkers and neuroimaging aid in distinguishing secondary headaches from primary mimics. Postinfectious headache, particularly after viral illness or in immunocompromised states, is gaining attention as a long-term sequela. Infectious headaches are clinically diverse and require a structured, classification-based diagnostic approach. Integrating clinical phenotype, imaging, and CSF analysis can support early diagnosis. Further research is warranted to clarify pathogen-specific mechanisms and optimize management.