In the context of infectious diseases, headaches can result from several mechanisms. These include:
Inflammatory Response: The body's immune response to infection can lead to the release of inflammatory mediators that cause headaches. Direct Infection: Certain pathogens can directly invade the central nervous system (CNS), leading to conditions like meningitis or encephalitis, which present with severe headaches. Systemic Illness: General systemic infections such as influenza can cause headaches as part of their symptom profile.